Man City's Trafford to start final but Arteta opts not to name Arsenal keeper
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed James Trafford will be in goal for Sunday's Carabao Cup final at Wembley, but Mikel Arteta has refused to say who will be Arsenal's starting keeper. Guardiola said he will continue his policy of playing Trafford in domestic cup matches, although he did not offer any assurances over the 23-year-old's long-term situation. Trafford rejoined City from Burnley last summer in a £27m switch and had been seen as the replacement for Ederson.
However, he was soon edged out of a starting spot as the club signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain. Asked about Trafford's recent comments about expecting to play more, Guardiola said: "Players can be happy, unhappy. It is what it is.
"They have to be here to do the best they can do and after we will see what happens at the end of the season. The important thing is they have to be ready. " He said he was "beyond happy" with Trafford's attitude, but said his selection came as part of "a big moment for the team".
Arteta, meanwhile, gave no clue when he spoke to journalists as to who he will start in goal. Kepa Arrizabalaga has been the north London side's keeper in domestic cup competitions, with David Raya taking to the field in the Premier League and Champions League. Raya (left) has been Arsenal's first-choice keeper this season but Kepa has played in the Carabao Cup Arsenal go into the game challenging for multiple trophies and Arteta said he was "prepared and confident" as they try to claim the first of them.
"When it comes to the crucial moments and when it comes to the moment to attack a trophy, take it and bring it home, that's when you need to step up and make a difference," he added. "That's why we are all very excited because we know what is at stake, and now it's about the next step, the next game, and the fact that we are at the end of March and we are in four competitions tells a lot about the team. "It's one of the defining moments because at the end it's whether you win the trophy or not.