Mikel Arteta needs to take responsibility for Arsenal's Carabao Cup final defeat, according to Jamie Redknapp, who has accused the Spaniard of making a "monumental error".
It was an afternoon to forget for the Gunners as they suffered a damaging defeat to title rivals Manchester City.
With an hour played, full-back Nico O'Reilly opened the scoring for City after he pounced on an error from Arsenal's second-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Kepa, who played in every round of Arsenal's run to the final, failed to claim Rayan Cherki's tame cross, with the ball slipping out of his hands and into the path of O'Reilly at the back post.
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The Spaniard could do nothing about O'Reilly's second goal, but Mikel Arteta's decision to start Kepa instead of David Raya has come under fire from many pundits, including Jamie Carragher.
"He was signed as a No 2 and he's not good enough at the top level - we've seen that at Chelsea," he said on Sky Sports.
"Mikel Arteta does not owe Kepa anything," added Carragher. "He owes Arsenal supporters the best possible chance of winning the first trophy in six years. They've won one trophy in nine years."
Jamie Redknapp and Ian Wright criticise Mikel Arteta's decision to start Kepa against Manchester City
After the full-time whistle, Arteta said it would have been “very unfair” to drop Kepa for the Carabao Cup final, but Redknapp argued it was ultimately the wrong call.
"I know people will say sentiment because he's played in the earlier rounds, but Kepa is not as good as Raya, that's why he's your No2," he said on Sky Sports.
"So why, in a major final, when you're trying to get across the line, you've not won a trophy in so long, do you decide to play him? You have to take responsibility for that - that is a monumental error."
In terms of their league position, Arsenal are nine points ahead of Manchester City in the title race, but Pep Guardiola's side have a game in hand.
Both teams also play each other on the afternoon of April 19, a match that could prove pivotal.
Ian Wright has warned Arsenal that the title race is not over by any stretch of the imagination. “It’s nine points, but Man City have a game in hand and they’ve got to play them, so it can go down to three,” said Wright.
“All of a sudden, the pressure really turns up. Make no mistake, this nine points is a tight nine points
“Arsenal really need to refocus and get themselves back on track for what they want to do. They need to win games now."
“People talk about how they win games ‘oh it’s set pieces’ – it doesn’t matter, everyone knows that," added Wright. "We’ve got a DNA of winning games resiliently. They’ve got to kick into this because this team know it’s not over.”
Redknapp agreed, saying: “For Arsenal, the doubts, the negativity, this changes the whole complexion of the title race. I’m not saying it puts Man City completely back in it, but it gives them a massive opportunity when they play in April.”
Do you think it was the right decision to start Kepa? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Arsenal, Man City, Carabao Cup, Mikel Arteta, Premier League
Jack Kenmare