Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Mikel Arteta Defends Picking Kepa Arrizabalaga Over David Raya In EFL Cup Final

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Mar 22, 2026 3:59 PM ET

One of the Arsenal players who is heavily blamed for their 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the EFL Cup Final is second-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spanish goalkeeper started over the first-choice goalkeeper, David Raya.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has started Kepa throughout the EFL Cup matches this season.

Despite Kepa starting for previous matches in the EFL Cup, Arteta has been questioned for his decision to start him over Raya for a cup final.

Kepa made a poor mistake in attempting to catch a ball, but he let the ball through, and Man City's Nico O'Reilly headed the ball into the net to score the opener.

Kepa Arrizabalaga of Arsenal fails to control the ball before Nico O'Reilly of Manchester City (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the Carabao Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Arteta states that it was a fair decision to keep Kepa as the goalkeeper for the EFL Cup Final, even if a trophy was at stake.

Mikel Arteta on Kepa Arrizabalaga Decision

Mikel Arteta does not believe it was a mistake to start Kepa Arrizabalaga over David Raya despite the mistake in the EFL Cup Final.

Arteta said, "I have to do what I think is right, honest, and fair. It would have been very, very unfair on him and on the team to do something different."

Arteta states he would've started Kepa again and defended his player for his mistake. Arteta said, "I would do it again. He deserved to play this game and has been phenomenal for us. Errors are part of football, and anyone can make them."

Arteta insists that the team should remain calm after losing out on one trophy and said, "We had great, incredible months together. Today is a disappointment; football is part of that. We have to use the fight to have two amazing months at the end of the season."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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