David Raya or Kepa? Mikel Arteta makes decision for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final

Mar 21, 2026 - 23:00

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga of Arsenal walk onto the pitch during the Arsenal FC Training Session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match at Sobha Realty Training Centre on March 16, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) — Kepa Arrizabalaga has started ahead of David Raya for all of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup and FA Cup games this season (Getty)

Mikel Arteta is set to start Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday.

Kepa has started in all five of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup matches this season, as well as the three matches in the FA Cup.

But Raya’s impressive performances in recent weeks has led to a section of Arsenal supporters calling for him to start ahead of Kepa for Sunday’s final at Wembley.

According to The Athletic, ‘sources with knowledge of the club’s plans’ are suggesting that Arteta has opted to stick with Kepa in goal for the final against Manchester City.

Asked if Kepa will keep his place for the final, Arteta said during his pre-match press conference on Friday: ‘We will see how everybody is [after training on Saturday], and then we’ll make the decision.’

When asked if changing goalkeepers makes a difference, Arteta replied: ‘No, because we don’t have that feeling amongst players.

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta embraces Arsenal's Spanish goalkeeper #13 Kepa Arrizabalaga to congratulate him on saving the penalty of Crystal Palace's French defender #05 Maxence Lacroix to win the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium, in London on December 23, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / — Mikel Arteta is set to keep faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday (AFP via Getty)

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‘We really trust our teammates and in that case especially when you work with the quality of the keepers that we have right now at Arsenal. They played at the highest level with other clubs and they have the experience to deal with any kind of situation.’

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, who won the League Cup with the Gunners in 1993, also believes Arteta should continue to play Kepa.

‘The big decision that Arsenal need to make is whether they go with Kepa Arrizabalaga or David Raya in goal,’ Merson told Sportskeeda.

‘Kepa has been first-choice in the Carabao Cup, and I think they should stick with him. It’s only fair because he played well and got you to this stage.

‘But I must admit, Raya is world-class. The saves he made against Everton and Leverkusen were absolutely phenomenal.

‘However, if I were the manager, I would still stick to my principles and choose Kepa as the keeper for the final. He’s not let the team down in this competition and deserves to start.’

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