Fabrizio Romano revealed Mikel Arteta’s strong stance following Arsenal FC’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, as the manager refused to backtrack on his controversial goalkeeper selection.
Arteta opted to start Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of David Raya, a decision that drew heavy criticism from fans, especially after Kepa’s shaky performance on the night.
City took the lead following a costly error from Kepa, who failed to deal convincingly with the opening goal. The Spanish goalkeeper looked visibly low on confidence throughout the match, making a series of questionable decisions that put his side under pressure. His hesitation and lack of authority in key moments only fueled the growing frustration among supporters.
With Arsenal chasing the game, Kepa’s struggles became more apparent, as City capitalized on defensive uncertainty to secure a comfortable 2-0 win and lift the trophy.
Despite the backlash, Arteta remained firm in his post-match comments. “I would do that again. No regrets,” he said, emphasizing that his decision was based on fairness and trust within the squad. The Arsenal boss insisted that changing course would have been “very unfair” on both the player and the team.