Jens Lehmann has backed Mikel Arteta’s decision to play second-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final and reckons the defeat could actually be a good thing for the Gunners.
Kepa came under pressure during the second half, and it was his error on the hour mark – when mishandling a cross – that led to Nico O’Reilly’s opener for Manchester City, and Arsenal’s first cup exit this season.
Despite Kepa being first-choice in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup all season, his costly mistake in Arsenal’s 2–0 defeat led to debate around whether the number one David Raya should have made the team as they looked to win their first trophy in six years.
Lehmann was a key member of the Arsenal side that went unbeaten through the entirety of the 2003-04 season – the year they last lifted the Premier League trophy, but asked whether Arteta made a mistake picking Kepa, Lehmann said: “Not at all. Kepa is a good keeper and he got into the final with them. He did well.
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“The ball he wanted to catch, it actually speaks for him that he wanted to catch it. He probably misjudged it a little bit, should have flipped it over the crossbar, but things happen.”
Despite the defeat, the Gunners are still on for an extraordinary season.
They remain nine points clear at the top of the Premier League – albeit City in second have a game-in-hand - and both teams are still in the FA Cup too, meaning they could face-off twice more this season, with Pep Guardiola’s side hosting a title showdown in mid-April.
However, falling short on Sunday means Arsenal are now unable to win the quadruple – all four titles – a feat Lehmann never saw as achievable.
“I would say I'm not unhappy they haven't won (the Carabao Cup), because you can't win four titles,” Lehmann said. “This will give them more focus in winning the Premier League, the FA Cup and probably the Champions League.
“I was sitting right behind the sub-bench and I saw their anger and disappointment. That normally causes a psychological effect which follows you everywhere.”
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Arsenal missed leadership
Lehmann also gave his analysis of the game, claiming Arsenal lacked personality to swing the momentum.
“They missed a little bit of leadership on the pitch then, probably some direction from outside because they were all watching instead of saying “come on, let's change our approach”,” he said.
“I thought the first 20 minutes were very good and dominant. They missed one or two chances and then the second half was unfortunately dominated by City.
“Arsenal then didn't look good anymore because they didn't know how to break their rhythm. That's the key. You then have a chance to release yourself from the pressure.”
The North London club now face time off until April 4 when they travel to Southampton, with an opportunity to bounce back in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
By Callum Milne
Topics: Kepa Arrizabalaga
The SPORTbible Team