Kepa clanger continues his haunted history of definitive League Cup final moments
Kepa clanger continues his haunted history of definitive League Cup final moments There's an argument that Kepa Arrizabalaga has defined more League Cup finals than anyone else in the competition's history. The goalkeeper was a central protagonist again as Arsenal lost 2-0 to Manchester City at Wembley, with Mikel Arteta's decision to stick with the Spaniard one that backfired. Arteta repaid Kepa with his trust after the Spaniard's role in previous rounds.
Arsenal, however, are approaching a six-year trophy drought and the failure to field first-choice David Raya might just haunt Arteta. A tight final was blown wide open on the hour, when Kepa's costly error handed Manchester City the lead. The goalkeeper fumbled Rayan Cherki's cross, with Nico O'Reilly on hand to head home after the ball squirmed from Kepa's grasp.
Momentum firmly with the Mancunians, a second arrived moments later. O'Reilly's second of the game ended the cup final as a contest and ensured it was City who climb the steps at Wembley as winners. For Kepa, a negative narrative in the League Cup final has been a recurring theme.
In 2019, he refused to be substituted during Chelsea 's defeat by Manchester City. Head coach Maurizio Sarri reacted furiously on the sideline as Kepa refused to come off for Willy Caballero. Chelsea proceeded to lose on penalties, with Kepa later apologising after being handed fine.
Three years later, Kepa was central again. Brought on in the 120th minute for the sole purpose of penalties against Liverpool, he failed to save a single spot-kick during a marathon shootout, before blasting his own effort over the bar as Chelsea lost 11-10. Now, with Arsenal, another error, this one perhaps more painful than the last.