Mikel Arteta decision made to give Arsenal star risky Carabao Cup final start vs Man City

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Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Kepa Arrizabalaga will reportedly start for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

The goalkeeper is second choice at the Emirates Stadium behind David Raya, but has been first choice in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup campaign.

According to The Athletic, Mikel Arteta has made the decision to stick with the Spaniard for the final at Wembley Stadium. It comes after the Arsenal boss confirmed that he would decide who to play in goal on Friday.

Speaking earlier in the week, Kepa hinted that he was expected to be picked in goal ahead of Raya.

“You know you are one game away from being able to lift a trophy. Obviously, it’s going to be a tough game, a very difficult game, but we’ll go for it," he said.

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“I have played in the League Cup final before, but I have played many finals in my career, I have been lucky in that way.

“So I will just approach the game the best way that I can. We will prepare everything in the best way, because at the end the aim is to win."

Should Kepa play, then it may be seen as a risky move from Arteta, given the influence that Raya has had on the team. A crucial stoppage time save against Chelsea outlined his importance.

Kepa has also played in two previous Carabao Cup finals, losing both via a penalty shootout. That includes the infamous 2019 final when he refused to be substituted off by then Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri.

When asked if the decision over the goalkeeper is different to an outfield player, Arteta said: Yeah, especially if you talk to the goalkeeping coaches, they are very special because they are always different.

“And they are different; it's a position that is very specific. There is a lot of history about that as well that is very related to how people have made decisions in the past and when something different happens it sounds different at least.

“But we don't know how it's going to be in 10 or 20 years' time.”

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has already confirmed that second-choice goalkeeper James Trafford will be playing ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma. Trafford has been City’s goalkeeper in their Carabao Cup games.