Carragher Tears Into Kepa After Carabao Cup Final Shocker: "Not Good Enough for the Top Level"

Jamie Carragher has rounded on Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the wake of Sunday's Carabao Cup final mauling by Manchester City, branding his performance an "absolute shocker" and questioning why he was ever given the nod ahead of David Raya.

The Spaniard, who had featured in every preceding round of the competition, was handed a rare start by Mikel Arteta but delivered a nightmare display as City romped to a 2-0 victory. Most damaging was his contribution to Nico O'Reilly's opening goal—a calamitous moment that set the tone for what was to follow.

Carragher pulled no punches in his assessment, suggesting Arteta's loyalty to his backup keeper came at the expense of Arsenal's best interests. The Sky Sports pundit argued that with a six-year drought without silverware—and just one trophy in nine years—the club cannot afford such sentimentality when finals are on the line.

"The goalkeeper has had an absolute shocker," Carragher told Sky Sports. "When we first saw the goal I said, 'I feel sorry for the lad', because everyone knows what he's been through in the previous finals with Chelsea. But I do have strong views on the goalkeeper situation and I don't like it even though I can understand it in some situations."

He continued: "Mikel Arteta does not owe Kepa anything, he owes Arsenal fans the best possible chance of winning a trophy in six years. They've won one trophy in nine years. The goalkeeper comes to the club because he knows he's second-choice. Yes he can play through the rounds but when it comes to the final that has to change, for me, because they haven't won enough trophies and this team need to get over the line."

Carragher's criticism extended to a broader comparison with Manchester City's approach. Pep Guardiola, he noted, actually owes James Trafford a debt after bringing him in as number one last summer, only to subsequently deem him surplus to requirements and sign Gianluca Donnarumma. Yet City's trophy-laden history—four Carabao Cups among them—means the pressure situation differs vastly from Arsenal's.

Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher received a different treatment, Carragher acknowledged, but that was because the Reds were desperate to retain him. Kepa, by contrast, signed knowing full well he would occupy the bench.

"He's not good enough for the top level, we saw that at Chelsea," Carragher concluded.

The pundit suggested the wider squad would have preferred Raya between the sticks, particularly given his credentials this season. The England goalkeeper has been nothing short of outstanding for Arsenal, ranking among their standout performers alongside Declan Rice and Gabriel.

"That would want the best possible chance to win a first trophy in six years," Carragher said of the players' likely preferences. "That could have been prevented if David Raya was in goal. Let's not forget Raya is not just Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper, he's arguably been their best player this season alongside Declan Rice and Gabriel."

Arteta, however, has refused to express any regret about his selection call. The Arsenal boss insisted he would make the same decision again, praising Kepa's contributions and noting that errors are an inherent part of football.

"I would do it again," Arteta said. "Kepa deserved to play this game and has been phenomenal for us. Errors are part of football and anyone can make them."

He acknowledged the pain of the defeat after eight months of groundwork towards claiming a first trophy of the campaign, though he pointed to missed opportunities at the other end. Arsenal created the game's best chance to make it 1-0, which would have altered proceedings entirely, whereas City required just two attempts to find the net twice.

"We had the best chance of the game to put it 1-0 and the game would be different," Arteta explained. "They had two shots and scored two goals. We had great incredible months together. Today is a disappointment, football is part of that. We have to use the fight to have two amazing months at the end of the season."