{"id":4496,"date":"2026-03-23T10:30:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T10:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=4496"},"modified":"2026-03-23T10:30:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T10:30:08","slug":"emmanuel-petit-slams-mikel-arteta-decision-that-killed-arsenal-in-carabao-cup-final-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=4496","title":{"rendered":"Emmanuel Petit slams Mikel Arteta decision that ‘killed’ Arsenal in Carabao Cup final | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Emmanuel Petit had strong feelings on Arsenal\u2019s choice of goalkeeper (Picture: talkSPORT)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

The Gunners\u2019 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. <\/p>\n

Two second half goals from Nico O\u2019Reilly ultimately proved the difference as Pep Guardiola\u2019s side claimed the first major piece of silverware of the season.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s in-form No.1 was demoted to the bench.<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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\u2019s logic. <\/p>\n

He told talkSPORT: \u2018In some way I can understand what Arteta is saying but in a way when you play a final it\u2019s different.<\/p>\n

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Metro<\/strong>‘s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tArsenal 0-2 Man City – Metro at the Match\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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Manchester City have secured the first silverware of the season after Arsenal failed to deliver at Wembley. <\/p>\n

The quadruple dream is over and the Gunners must now pick up the pieces after a sobering setback.<\/p>\n

For City, it has breathed life into their campaign after a dismal Champions League exit this week.<\/p>\n

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Kepa gamble backfires spectacularly<\/strong><\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Arsenal still have plenty left to fight for (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Old Arsenal fears reignited<\/strong><\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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Arteta got his biggest decision on the day wrong (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

O’Reilly steps up<\/strong><\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Tony Mogan, live sports editor<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018The final I don\u2019t care how you play it, you have to win it, which means you have to put your best players on the pitch. <\/p>\n

\u2018This is one single game and at the end of the game you have a trophy or not. For me this is the big difference. <\/p>\n

\u2018I can understand what Arteta said about Kepa and honestly it\u2019s nice for him to say that but at this point don\u2019t make feelings first. We are talking about wining a trophy. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
Kepa could not hold onto the cross that led to City\u2019s opener (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018Feelings 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.\u2019<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s hard because everyone as a player really wanted it today and I know the supporters wanted it,\u2019 said a dejected Arteta. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
David Raya was left on the bench against Man City (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018The fact that we haven\u2019t managed to deliver it is very, very painful.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019ve had a remarkable eight months together, and now there\u2019s an international break. <\/p>\n

\u2018We all go into there with a very hard feeling and pain, and we\u2019re going to use that as fuel for the next two months.<\/p>\n

\u2018We keep going. It\u2019s painful not to give them what they are hoping for and what they are cheering for, but we\u2019ll recover from that and go again.\u2019<\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Eberechi Eze injury rules him out of England squad as replacement chosen<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Freddie Ljungberg sends Premier League title warning to Arsenal after Man City defeat<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Gary Lineker says Mikel Arteta decision \u2018backfired\u2019 on Arsenal in Carabao Cup final<\/span><\/p>\n
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Emmanuel Petit slams Mikel Arteta decision that ‘killed’ Arsenal in Carabao Cup final | Football
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#Emmanuel #Petit #slams #Mikel #Arteta #decision #killed #Arsenal #Carabao #Cup #final #Football<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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