Arsenal legend backs Arteta decision after Kepa error costs Carabao Cup final

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Jens Lehmann has thrown his support behind Mikel Arteta’s goalkeeper rotation policy, urging the Arsenal boss to stick with Kepa Arrizabalaga for the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton despite the Spaniard’s costly error in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

The former Chelsea goalkeeper gifted City their opening goal at Wembley, appearing to freeze on the big occasion as Arsenal’s quadruple dreams evaporated in a 2-0 defeat. Kepa had been Arteta’s designated cup keeper throughout the domestic competitions, but his mistake under City’s press highlighted the difference in composure compared to first-choice David Raya.

However, Lehmann – Arsenal’s goalkeeper during their last Premier League title triumph in 2004 – believes Arteta should maintain faith in his Spanish international.

“Why not stick with him? Kepa is a good keeper and he’s up for the cup games,” Lehmann told The Sun. “You should give him playing time because something could happen to Raya and then you need a good backup on the bench who is full of confidence and knows he has the trust of his manager.”

The Arsenal legend, who famously battled Manuel Almunia for the number one spot during his own Wembley years, defended Kepa’s overall performance despite the crucial error.

“Kepa bought them to the final, he’s a good keeper. He made one mistake which speaks for him, he tried to catch the ball which is something I like, but apart from that he had a good game,” Lehmann explained.

Arsenal’s defeat ended their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple, with Arteta now having two weeks to reflect on team selection decisions before the FA Cup quarter-final on April 4. The manager hinted in his post-match press conference that he retained faith in Kepa, despite calls from some quarters to restore Raya to cup duties.

Raya’s absence was particularly felt as Arsenal struggled to build from the back against City’s four-man press, with the Brentford-born keeper’s superior distribution skills badly missed at Wembley. The Spaniard has been in sublime form this season, with Thierry Henry recently backing him as a potential player of the season candidate following another stellar display against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lehmann acknowledged the competitive dynamic between the two Spanish internationals is far less hostile than his own battle with Almunia, expressing hope that Kepa receives proper support amid criticism following the final.

“He made one mistake, it happens, but Arsenal didn’t score which was a disappointment,” the German added.

Arsenal remain in contention for three trophies despite Sunday’s setback, sitting top of the Premier League and well-positioned in the Champions League. The Southampton FA Cup tie will provide Arteta with his first major selection dilemma since Wembley, with Lehmann’s backing potentially influencing the manager’s goalkeeper choice for the remainder of the campaign.