Mikel Arteta gets rare support over Kepa as Arsenal told they must learn ‘to play dirty’

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Mikel Arteta gets rare support over Kepa as Arsenal told they must learn ‘to play dirty’

Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has backed Mikel Arteta's decision to start Kepa Arrizabalaga over David Raya in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley

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Mikel Arteta was right to start Kepa Arrizabalaga and that wasn’t the sole reason Arsenal fell to defeat against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. That’s according to former Gunners right-back Bacary Sagna, who has backed Arteta by insisting he was correct to select Kepa over David Raya between the sticks.

Kepa, 31, who had featured in all of Arsenal's five previous Carabao Cup fixtures this campaign, was handed the starting berth once more for the final against City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

However, the Spanish goalkeeper made a disastrous mistake that led to City breaking the deadlock on the hour mark, as he let a straightforward cross slip through his grasp before Nico O'Reilly reacted quickest to nod home from point-blank range.

Kepa couldn't do much about City's second goal in the 64th minute, though, as O'Reilly was on hand again to thump home a header and hand Pep Guardiola's outfit a two-goal cushion.

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Arsenal pressed hard to claw their way back into the match but City held resolute to emerge 2-0 victors and claim the Carabao Cup for the fifth time in eight years.

Arteta's choice to pick Kepa instead of Raya drew criticism from some after the final whistle, including Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp, who believed he should have opted to pick his number one goalkeeper. However, Sagna has now come to Arteta's defence and believed selecting Kepa was the correct decision. The former Arsenal and City man also suggested the Gunners ought to have 'played dirty' throughout the match instead.

Speaking to Covers, Sagna said: "Mikel Arteta did not make a mistake by starting Kepa in goal instead of David Raya. Kepa is a top goalkeeper and whilst his mistake cost Arsenal a goal, it wasn't the only reason why the Gunners lost the game.

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"Arsenal started to sit back in the second half and they invited pressure from Manchester City. They must learn to play dirty and send the ball long to relieve some pressure and position a higher block, rather than in their own box.

"Whenever they got the ball, they were adamant in playing from the back and they were punished for it.

"If Kai Havertz had scored his early chance in the game, it could've been a completely different result.

"He needed to shoot a bit earlier in order to have more of the goal to aim at, but James Trafford produced a set of great saves – he deserves a lot of praise for his performance."

Following the international break, Arteta and Arsenal face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals. They then travel to Sporting CP for a Champions League fixture before welcoming Bournemouth in the Premier League.

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Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta's side every step of the way – and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.

It's a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.

The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League – and they're also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

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No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We'll have it all covered.

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