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Jamie Carragherhas criticized Mikel Arteta’s choice to trust Kepa Arrizabalaga for the Carabao Cup final, following the second-choice goalkeeper’s expensive mistake in Arsenal’s loss to Manchester City.

Kepa failed to catch a cross from Rayan Cherki at Wembley, enabling Nico O’Reilly to score the opening goal for Manchester City in the 60th minute.

O’Reilly increased Manchester City’s lead with another header just four minutes later, withPep Guardiolaon their side, maintaining a 2-0 advantage to claim the first domestic trophy of the season.

Arteta stood by his decision to pick Kepa instead of his primary goalkeeper David Raya after the game, stating he would make the same choice again.

The manager of Arsenal chose to maintain confidence in the 30-year-old player, who featured in every match during their journey to the final.

Speaking on Sky Sports, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher claimed Arteta erred by not choosing Raya to assist the Gunners in ending a nearly six-year trophy slump.

“I hold firm opinions about playing as the second goalkeeper; I’m not fond of it, but I can see its rationale in certain circumstances,” Carragher stated.

‘But Mikel Artetadoes not owe Kepa anything, he is in debtArsenalsupporters give them the best possible chance of securing the first trophy in six years – they have won one trophy in nine years.

The goalkeeper joins the club as he is aware he is the second option. He can perform in the earlier stages, but when reaching the final, a change is necessary for me since they haven’t secured enough titles and must finally cross the finish line.

He is indebted to the fans more than Kepa.

Kepa was not the sole backup goalkeeper to feature at Wembley, as Pep Guardiola opted to trust James Trafford in the tournament.

Trafford, who took the starting position instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, executed a remarkable triple save to prevent Arsenal from scoring in the initial moments of the game.

Carragher maintained there was a distinction between the choices of Kepa and Trafford, with the analyst stating that Guardiola “owed” the latter a starting position in the final.

“People might tell me about Manchester City, but he [Guardiola] does have a debt to Trafford,” Carragher continued.

He acquired him at the beginning of the season to be the starting goalkeeper, didn’t believe he was capable enough, and then signed Donnarumma. Additionally, they have won four of them, which puts pressure on…Man City to win another Carabao Cup is not the same.

Maybe there’s a different turn and people could mention Kelleher atLiverpool. The reason he had so many chances to compete in finals is that Liverpool were eager to retain him, they didn’t wish to let him go.

That isn’t the main issue with Kepa; he was brought in as a backup and hasn’t proven to be adequate at the highest level – we’ve witnessed that at Chelsea.

David Raya is more than just the starting goalkeeper; we’re essentially talking about Arsenal’s top performer this season. Therefore, it’s not merely replacing No. 1 with No. 2, but swapping out one of your finest players at a time when the team hasn’t established a track record of success.

Arteta maintained that he had not assured Kepa that he would feature in cup matches.

The manager of Arsenal stated that the Spanish player had secured his spot due to his performances before the final.

I think it was the correct decision, and that’s all,” Arteta said after the game. “Mistakes are a part of football, and unfortunately, it occurred at a critical moment today.

I must act according to what I believe is correct, which is both truthful and just. There is an agreement in place with Kepa. He has participated in all the matches so far, and it would have been extremely unfair for him and the team to make a different decision.

I cannot guarantee a player will participate in specific competitions because ultimately, they must prove themselves. We base our decisions on what we have observed and his actions, and what he has accomplished in this competition has helped us reach the final.

I think it was the correct decision and that’s all. Mistakes are a part of football, and unfortunately, it occurred at a critical moment today.

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