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Mikel Arteta maintained that he would make the identical choice once more to field Kepa Arrizabalaga in the 2026 Carabao Cup final despite suffering defeat in the prestigious match at Wembley Stadium against Manchester City due to an error from his substitute goalkeeper.
Arrizabalaga serves as Arsenal's definitive second-choice keeper behind David Raya and highlighted that position with the crucial moment of Sunday's final. Following a scoreless first hour, the Spanish goalkeeper attempted (unsuccessfully) to collect Rayan Cherki's lobbed delivery from the goal line, confused by the bouncing ball which fell for Nico O'Reilly to nod City ahead.
Arrizabalaga bore no responsibility for O'Reilly's second goal of the match—another header at the far post represented more of a team-wide breakdown from the Gunners—yet it was simple to attribute much of the blame for the day's letdown to the unfortunate backup.
Arteta, nevertheless, rejected such criticism entirely.
Arteta Defends His Decision and 'Outstanding' Kepa
Arteta framed his choice as a matter of core values. "I must do what feels correct, which is truthful and which is just," he explained to gathered reporters following the final whistle. "I believe we possess an exceptional goalkeeper in Kepa. He's featured in every [match of the] tournament and I think it would have been extremely unjust to him and to the squad to act differently."
Arteta was questioned whether Arrizabalaga's participation in cup tournaments had been included in the arrangement that brought him from Chelsea to Arsenal during the summer. After all, the 31-year-old served as Bournemouth's primary keeper during a loan period last season and remains the most costly goalkeeper in football history. That notion was firmly dismissed.
"I cannot ever guarantee a player will feature in specific tournaments," Arteta emphasized, "they must earn their place and prove themselves.
"We follow what we observe. What he's accomplished in the tournament, and how he assisted us in reaching the final, I believe it was the correct decision. Mistakes are inherent in football, and regrettably it occurred at a pivotal moment."
In characteristically resolute manner, Arteta supported his choice. "I would repeat it," he informed Sky Sports.
Sentimentality Bites Arteta
The practice of employing different goalkeepers for various tournaments is well-established in English football.
Dating back to the inaugural season of organized top-flight football, 1888–89, Preston North End utilized James Trainer for league matches while Dr. Bob Mills-Roberts was reserved for the FA Cup as the team that would earn the nickname 'The Invincibles' captured both titles without suffering a single defeat. Mills-Roberts retained his position for the FA Cup final on that occasion, recording a shutout in a 3–0 victory, but history hasn't always favored the substitute.
Pep Guardiola reaped rewards from his confidence in James Trafford against Arsenal on Sunday. Gianluigi Donnarumma's deputy produced three excellent stops to keep City competitive earlier in the opening half, though this seemed less about emotional attachment.
"Players may be satisfied, dissatisfied. That's the reality," Guardiola remarked after revealing his decision before kickoff. "They must be present to perform their best and then we'll assess what occurs at season's end. The crucial aspect is their readiness."
Guardiola selected his reserve keeper to start the 2020 (Claudio Bravo) and 2021 (Zack Steffen) Carabao Cup finals, both victories for City. Nevertheless, in 2019 he replaced Arijanet Muric with Ederson despite starting the promising Kosovan in all five preceding rounds of the competition.
That choice also proved successful as Ederson stopped Chelsea's opening penalty in a victorious shootout to claim the trophy. Coincidentally, his opposing goalkeeper in that penalty series happened to be none other than Kepa Arrizabalaga.