Arsenal: A painful defeat not solely due to Kepa

The 0-2 loss to Man City in the Carabao Cup final was not merely a simple stumble for Arsenal. It was a disappointing performance across multiple aspects.

Kepa's mistake was the most visible highlight, but if one stops there, they overlook the deeper cause: Mikel Arteta's choices and his system's operation.

Kepa is merely the tip of the iceberg

The decisive moment of the match arrived in the 60th minute, when Kepa mishandled a clearance from Rayan Cherki's cross, allowing Nico O'Reilly to score the opening goal. Just 4 minutes later, Arsenal conceded a second goal, and all hope was nearly extinguished.

In a final, such an error is unacceptable. But the noteworthy point is: That conceded goal was not the sole reason for Arsenal's defeat. It was merely the inevitable consequence of a match situation they had already lost control of beforehand.

In the first 15 minutes, Arsenal started with high energy. They created the initial chances, forcing goalkeeper James Trafford to make crucial saves. But after that brief period, the entire structure of the red-and-white team began to crack.

The midfield, which is the foundation of Arteta's system, was quickly overwhelmed. Rodri and Bernardo Silva completely dominated the central area, preventing Arsenal from maintaining rhythm or organizing attacks. From a team renowned for intensity and precise movement, Arsenal suddenly became disjointed and lacking connection.

More concerning was the lack of creativity in their play. Arsenal lacked breakthrough moments, lacked individuals capable of dismantling the opponent's defensive structure. Bukayo Saka was completely neutralized, repeating familiar dribbling patterns without creating difference. The overall feeling was that Arsenal "stood frozen" for a long stretch of the match. It seemed they lost direction, unsure whether to press high or retreat, attack quickly or hold possession.

In that context, conceding a goal was only a matter of time. Gary Neville described it accurately: It was the result of "a series of punches" from Man City. Kepa may have made the direct error, but he was not the only one accountable.

Arteta's Responsibility

What makes Arsenal's defeat even more noteworthy lies in Arteta's personnel decisions. His choice of Kepa over first-choice goalkeeper David Raya in a final sparked controversy from the start and ultimately became a "double-edged sword." Arteta explained it was about fairness, as Kepa had played throughout the League Cup journey. But top-level football does not always operate on the logic of fairness. In decisive matches, the most crucial factors are quality and the ability to deliver victory.

Jamie Redknapp pointed out the key issue: The gap between Kepa and Raya was too significant to accept the risk. Raya has repeatedly saved Arsenal this season, while Kepa is merely a backup option. By trusting the weaker option, Arteta created pressure for his own team.

It's worth noting that this decision was not the only mistake. Throughout the match, Arteta seemed unable to find a way to counter Pep Guardiola's adjustments. When Man City stretched the play and focused on wing attacks, Arsenal lacked an effective adaptation plan. The personnel changes in the second half also failed to bring significant impact. Despite introducing technical players like Gabriel Martinelli or Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal still lacked a breakthrough element. They attacked hopelessly, failing to generate real pressure on the opponent's goal.

Former star Freddie Ljungberg even warned that this defeat could affect Arsenal's mentality in the title race. When a team riding a wave of momentum suddenly suffers such a defeat, doubts will arise, both externally and within the dressing room.

This is the fourth consecutive time Arsenal has lost in a League Cup final, a statistic that clearly reflects the issue at the "final stage." Arsenal can play well for most of the season, can lead the standings, but when facing the chance to win a trophy, they falter.