The 'sentimental' Goalkeeping Call That Cost Arsenal

For Arteta, it did not participate his mind to not play Kepa successful nan final.

The Arsenal head said it would person been "very unfair" if he had not stuck pinch nan Spain international, who had played each information of nan cup title earlier nan final, and said he accepts nan scrutiny coming his way.

"I understand that, but I person to do what I consciousness is right, which is honorable and which is fair," Arteta said.

"And I deliberation we person an knowing keeper successful Kepa - he's played each nan title and I deliberation it would person been very, very unfair for him and for nan squad to do thing different."

The erstwhile Chelsea goalkeeper signed for nan Gunners successful nan summertime to compete pinch first prime David Raya.

Raya has 15 cleanable sheets successful nan Premier League, nan astir successful nan division, and has produced immoderate standout saves during this run arsenic Arsenal look to extremity their hold for a trophy.

And Arteta says that contempt Kepa's constricted crippled clip this play he did not guarantee that nan goalkeeper would play successful Arsenal's cup fixtures.

"I tin ne'er committedness a subordinate to play definite competitions, because astatine nan extremity they person to gain it and they person to do capable for illustration immoderate different position," he said.

"We are guided by what we've seen and what he's done successful nan competition, and he helped america to spell each nan measurement done here.

"I judge it's nan correct point to do and that's it. Errors are portion of shot and coming it happened unluckily successful a important moment."

The EFL Cup brings bad memories for Kepa Arrizabalaga. The keeper has now mislaid each 3 of nan finals he has played successful nan competition.

When playing for Chelsea successful 2019 he refused to beryllium substituted pinch nan crippled heading to penalties, successful 2022 he put his punishment complete nan crossbar arsenic Chelsea mislaid to Liverpool successful nan shootout - and his correction successful this year's last handed nan lead to City.

"I would ne'er person started Kepa today," European shot master Julien Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"In a last for illustration this, astatine this infinitesimal successful nan Arsenal project, location is nary infinitesimal for sentiment. Your champion squad has to play. Kepa alternatively of David Raya for me, was nan incorrect call.

"I cognize it is harsh but I deliberation Arteta and his players will study a batch from coming because those finals are won connected decisions made, not conscionable connected nan transportation but astatine half-time."

Kepa was booked earlier conceding nan opener, erstwhile he misjudged a clearance and pulled backmost winger Jeremy Doku arsenic he looked to score.

"Mikel Arteta did not person to play him," erstwhile England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart told BBC Sport.

"That's a determination made by a head who's perchance going to triumph rather a batch this season. So he's played Kepa because he believes he's ready.

"But I'll ever opportunity it, don't ever consciousness sorry for a goalkeeper. That's nan life that he's chosen.

"And again astir of nan crippled he was faultless. But successful that large infinitesimal evidently he'll person thing to bespeak on."