Jamie Redknapp has pointed the finger directly at Mikel Arteta for Arsenal's Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, citing the manager's controversial decision to start second-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as a critical error. The Gunners lost 2-0 at Wembley Stadium, with Kepa's mistake leading to the opening goal just after the hour mark.
Redknapp's Scathing Critique of Arteta's Goalkeeper Choice
Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp argued that Arteta should bear responsibility for selecting Kepa over first-choice David Raya in such a crucial match. "I know people will say sentiment because he's played in the earlier rounds, but Kepa is not as good as Raya, that's why he's your No2," Redknapp stated emphatically.
He continued with a pointed question: "So why in a major final, when you're trying to get across the line, you've not won a trophy in so long, do you decide to play him? You have to take responsibility for that - that is a monumental error."
The Costly Mistake That Changed the Game
The pivotal moment came in the 61st minute when Kepa attempted to catch Rayan Cherki's cross but fumbled the ball, allowing it to fall perfectly for Nico O'Reilly to score. Just four minutes later, O'Reilly added a second goal to secure Manchester City's victory.
Redknapp acknowledged that while Kepa isn't a bad goalkeeper, the gap in quality between him and Raya was too significant to ignore in a final. "I'm not saying he's a bad goalkeeper, but he's not as good as Raya and it has backfired big time," he added.
Arteta's Defense of His Controversial Decision
Despite the criticism, Arteta stood by his selection after the match, insisting he would make the same choice again. The Arsenal manager emphasized loyalty to Kepa, who had played every match in the competition leading up to the final.
"I made a decision before the game based on what he has done all season," Arteta explained. "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."
Comparing Goalkeeper Situations: Arsenal vs. Manchester City
When it was noted that Manchester City also started their second-choice goalkeeper James Trafford, who made three excellent saves in the first half, Redknapp and fellow pundit Micah Richards highlighted the difference in circumstances.
Richards explained: "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'."
Neville's Analysis of Arsenal's Defensive Problems
Gary Neville offered additional insight into Arsenal's defensive issues during the match, particularly criticizing Kepa's tendency to slow down play by repeatedly putting his foot on the ball while searching for passing options.
Neville described this behavior as "nonsense" that led to "punch after punch" from Manchester City's attack. "They were knocking at the door and City's fans could smell blood behind that goal," Neville observed. "It is a really bad one by the goalkeeper, a real howler in a massive moment."
Kepa's History in Carabao Cup Finals
This isn't the first time Kepa has been at the center of controversy in Carabao Cup finals. In 2019, while playing for Chelsea against Manchester City, he famously refused to be substituted by manager Maurizio Sarri during extra time, with Chelsea ultimately losing on penalties.
Then in 2022, he came on as a specialist penalty saver in the final against Liverpool but failed to save any of Liverpool's penalties before missing the decisive spot-kick himself.
The Broader Implications for Arsenal
The defeat extends Arsenal's trophy drought and raises questions about Arteta's decision-making in crucial matches. While the manager defended his choice based on fairness and loyalty, the result suggests that sentiment may have overridden tactical considerations.
Redknapp summarized the situation bluntly: "Look, we can talk about it after, but ultimately we're talking about it because it cost Arsenal the game." The debate continues about whether Arteta's loyalty to Kepa was justified or whether it represented a significant misjudgment in a match of such importance.
