Jamie Redknapp has urged Mikel Arteta to own up to a crucial error following Arsenal’s loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. The decision in question was Arteta’s choice to field his backup goalkeeper in such an important match.

In a surprising move, Kepa Arrizabalaga was selected to guard the net for the Gunners at Wembley, preferred over the usual pick, David Raya, who typically features in Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League fixtures. Kepa had been the go-to option for cup matches until that point.

This choice was seen by many as a gamble, particularly since Raya is generally considered a stronger option. The consequences of this decision became evident in the second half of the game.

Redknapp criticized this strategy, suggesting that Arteta should shoulder the responsibility for opting to play the Spaniard instead of his first-choice keeper.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Redknapp remarked, “While some may argue it’s sentimental to play him because he was part of the earlier rounds, Kepa doesn’t match Raya’s abilities, which is why he’s the backup.”

Jamie Redknapp (pictured) has pointed the blame at Mikel Arteta for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat

Arteta opted to start Kepa Arrizabalaga – who was at fault for the first goal – at Wembley

He continued, “In a major final, especially when you’re so close to ending a long trophy drought, choosing to start him was a significant mistake. Arteta must take responsibility for that decision.”

It was put to Redknapp that James Trafford, playing in goal for City, is the winners’ No2 and made three top-class saves in the first-half. 

‘I’m not saying he’s a bad goalkeeper, but he’s not as good as Raya and it has backfired big time,’ Redknapp added. ‘You can turn around and say Trafford isn’t your No1 either, but he made three big saves and then he was hardly tested.’

Micah Richards went onto echo Redknapp’s views, explaining why the situation is different with Trafford.

Many thought the England star would be City’s No1 this season when he joined the club, but Gianluigi Donnarumma signed from Manchester City soon after to dislodge his spot.

Trafford has therefore been subject to mostly cup competitions, with nine of his 13 games this season coming in either the FA Cup or League Cup.

‘I think you’re right,’ Richards said. ‘When you asked about goalkeepers at the start, Trafford was brought in as a No1, he was ready – it’s just that Donnarumma came on the market.

‘The difference between Raya and Kepa is so big, so in a big game, you’re thinking, “you’ve got to go with Raya”. Look, we can talk about it after, but ultimately we’re talking about it because (it) cost Arsenal the game.’

Kepa got the nod ahead of David Raya having started every game in the competition this year

Arteta (pictured) said he would have made the same call if he were put in the position again

Arteta was questioned on his call after the game, insisting he would do the same thing if in the situation again.

He spoke of loyalty to his player, who has split opinion throughout his career, and how he had played every game in the competition.

‘I made a decision before the game based on what he has done all season,’ Arteta said. ‘The fact he has played in the competition and helped us be where we are today. 

‘It would have been very unfair to choose a different one.’

Gary Neville, meanwhile, said Arsenal brought pressure on themselves and pinpointed Kepa – who had repeatedly put his foot on top of the ball to slow down passing around the backline to hunt for options on where to play the ball – as an issue.

It was that behaviour that Neville dubbed ‘nonsense,’ leading to ‘punch after punch’ coming from City on the Arsenal goal.

‘They were knocking at the door and City’s fans could smell blood behind that goal,’ Neville said on Sky Sports. ‘It is a really bad one by the goalkeeper, a real howler in a massive moment, but it was punch after punch and O’Reilly steals in.

‘City deserve that, they have been much the better team at the start of the second-half and Arsenal now need to show up – what has happened to them in this second-half? They have shrunk. Arsenal have gone missing in this second-half.’ 

It’s not the first time Kepa has grabbed headlines in a Carabao Cup final. In 2019 against Man City he refused to be substituted by Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri in a game the Blues ultimately lost on penalties.

And in 2022 he came on as a ‘penalty specialist’ in the final against Liverpool before failing to save any of the Reds’ penalties and then blazing the decisive spot-kick of his own over the crossbar.