Arsenal fans dey vex well-well as dem lose Carabao Cup final to Manchester City for Wembley Stadium. The match end 2-0 in favour of City, with two goals from Nico O'Reilly. But the talk of the town na how Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga make mistake wey lead to the first goal.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, come out to defend him decision to play Kepa instead of David Raya for the final. Raya be Arsenal number one goalkeeper wey don play all Premier League matches this season, but Arteta say Kepa deserve to play because him play all Carabao Cup matches from beginning.
“I understand say people dey talk, but I must do wetin I believe correct,” Arteta talk after the match. “Kepa play all the competition matches, e go don unfair if I change am for final. Error na part of football, and today e happen for crucial moment.”
The mistake happen when Kepa try to catch ball from cross, but the ball slip from him hand. Nico O’Reilly quickly head the ball enter net give Manchester City early lead. The second goal come later in the match seal victory for Pep Guardiola team.
This loss come at bad time for Arsenal because players go now travel for international duty before returning early April. Arteta admit say the loss hard to take, especially for Arsenal supporters wey dey expect trophy this season.
“Very sad, hard one to take,” Arteta add. “We get some good moments for first half but we no use am well. We get chances through Gabi and Viktor. For second half, we suppose do better. Sometimes we must give credit to opposition.”
Despite the disappointment, Arsenal still dey in contention for three other trophies this season. Dem dey lead Premier League with nine points, still dey for FA Cup, and qualify for Champions League quarterfinals.
Arteta insist say the team must remain calm and use the disappointment as motivation for the remaining months of the season. “We don have incredible months together,” him talk. “Today na disappointment, but football be like that. We must use the fight to have two amazing months for end of season.”
Manchester City win with this victory their ninth Carabao Cup title, while Pep Guardiola win him fifth League Cup as manager. For Arsenal side, dem still dey find first trophy under Arteta leadership since 2020 FA Cup win.
The debate about goalkeeper selection continue among football pundits and fans. Some believe Arteta make correct decision to reward Kepa for him contributions throughout the competition, while others argue say for cup final, you must always play your best available players.
As players travel for international break, Arsenal coaching staff go use the time plan how dem go approach the remaining crucial matches for the season. The Carabao Cup loss go serve as lesson as dem pursue Premier League title and European success.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
