Emmanuel Petit slams Mikel Arteta decision that ‘killed’ Arsenal in Carabao Cup final | Football

Emmanuel Petit hopes Mikel Arteta has learned a harsh lesson after his sentimental decision to pick Kepa Arrizabalaga backfired spectacularly against Manchester City.

The Gunners’ hopes of ending a six-year trophy drought and taking the first step towards an unprecedented quadruple ended at Wembley on Sunday following a comprehensive 2-0 defeat.

Two second half goals from Nico O’Reilly ultimately proved the difference as Pep Guardiola’s side claimed the first major piece of silverware of the season.

Kepa, a summer signing from Chelsea, had proved to be an able deputy to David Raya when called upon this season, but eyebrows were still raised ahead of kick-off when Arsenal’s in-form No.1 was demoted to the bench.

Raya could only watch on helplessly when his compatriot gifted City their opening goal, just minutes after he had been fortunate to avoid a red card for a foul on Jeremy Doku.

Arteta defended his decision to select Kepa after the game and was adamant he would do so again if a similar scenario presented itself, but Petit struggled to fathom the Arsenal manager’s logic.

He told talkSPORT: ‘In some way I can understand what Arteta is saying but in a way when you play a final it’s different.

Arsenal 0-2 Man City – Metro at the Match

Manchester City have secured the first silverware of the season after Arsenal failed to deliver at Wembley.

The quadruple dream is over and the Gunners must now pick up the pieces after a sobering setback.

For City, it has breathed life into their campaign after a dismal Champions League exit this week.

Kepa gamble backfires spectacularly

Mikel Arteta decided to keep faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga after starting the Spaniard in each round of the competition leading up to the final at Wembley today.

Pep Guardiola did likewise with James Trafford, but it was Arsenal who paid the price for dropping one of their best players. From the moment the second-half kicked off, Kepa dallied on the ball, inviting the pressure that would inevitably swarm all over the Gunners and trigger their downfall.

Raya has been spectacular this season, the best goalkeeper in the Premier League by some margin and in sublime form. Had he started, Sunday may have been a very different story.

Old Arsenal fears reignited

We have seen Arsenal collapse in the past. Past failures have so often been used as a stick to beat them with but things have felt different this season.

Victory today would have gone some way in erasing the lingering fears over another derailment . But defeat at Wembley could serve as a catalyst for something much bleaker.

Arsenal are still fighting on three fronts, in control of the Premier League title race and well-placed to continue marching on in Europe. But the effects of today could be season-altering. The woeful second-half showing was as bad as anything served up by them this term on the stage where they needed to be their best.

O’Reilly steps up

City needed a hero at Wembley and they found a home-grown one. With Phil Foden only coming on as an injury time substitute, left-back O’Reilly stepped up as City’s savour with two headers to save their season.

City were fantastic in the second period to a man and fed off Arsenal’s apprehension but it was the 21-year-old set the standard when they needed inspiration.  

Tony Mogan, live sports editor

‘The final I don’t care how you play it, you have to win it, which means you have to put your best players on the pitch.

‘This is one single game and at the end of the game you have a trophy or not. For me this is the big difference.

‘I can understand what Arteta said about Kepa and honestly it’s nice for him to say that but at this point don’t make feelings first. We are talking about wining a trophy.

‘Feelings for me are not a concern. You have to make choices for the best of the team, the best of the club and the fans. The fact is this mistake killed the game.’

Arsenal must now dust themselves down and prepare for the resumption after the upcoming international break knowing they are still in with a chance of winning three competitions.

‘It’s hard because everyone as a player really wanted it today and I know the supporters wanted it,’ said a dejected Arteta.

‘The fact that we haven’t managed to deliver it is very, very painful. 

‘We’ve had a remarkable eight months together, and now there’s an international break.

‘We all go into there with a very hard feeling and pain, and we’re going to use that as fuel for the next two months.

‘We keep going. It’s painful not to give them what they are hoping for and what they are cheering for, but we’ll recover from that and go again.’

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