Jamie Redknapp slams Arteta for starting Kepa in Carabao Cup final as Arsenal boss remains adamant

Redknapp tore into Arteta’s selection, calling his decision to field Kepa instead of Raya a huge error of “judgement”.

By Kehinde Okeowo

British pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has chided Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for opting to play Kepa Arrizabalaga instead of David Raya in goal during the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, arguing the decision backfired.

He slammed the Gunners gaffer while speaking on Sky Sports after Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley to lift the Carabao trophy.

A costly error by Kepa proved pivotal as Pep Guardiola’s side cruised to victory with Nico O’Reilly’s brace.

Reacting to the defeat, Redknapp tore into Arteta’s selection, calling it a huge error of “judgement”.

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“Kepa is not as good as Raya—that is why he is your number two,” Redknapp said. “You’ve gone so long without a trophy at Arsenal, and in a final, you decide to play him. It’s a monumental error by Arteta, and it has come back and backfired big time.”

However, speaking after the encounter, Arteta noted that it did not enter his mind not to play Kepa in the final.

According to the Spanish tactician, it would have been “very unfair” if he had not stuck with his second-choice shot-stopper, who had played every round of the cup competition leading up to the final.

Commenting on the criticism that greeted his decision to start Kepa, he said: “I understand that, but I have to do what I feel is right, which is honest and which is fair. And I think we have an outstanding keeper in Kepa—he’s played all the competition and I think it would have been very, very unfair for him and for the team to do something different.”