'Monumental error': Mikel Arteta at fault for Carabao Cup defeat as Arsenal's two biggest flops named | OneFootball

Gunners’ boss made some big calls which have been called into question

It was an uncharacteristically shaky performance from the Gunners, who started on the front foot but let off the gas as City grew into the tie.

He had another nervous moment when he was caught in the press by Jeremy Doku in the second-half but escaped without punishment.

For Jamie Redknapp, Arteta’s selection had Arsenal beaten before a ball had been kicked.

“It's a monumental error by Arteta, and it has come back and backfired big time,” he said on Sky Sports.

“You can turn around and say, ‘well, [James] Trafford is not City's number one’, but he didn't even get tested!

“He hardly had to touch the ball [after three early saves]. It was easy for him.”

Arsenal legend Ian Wright concurred, adding: “Arsenal made it too easy for City to control [the game]. Too many people had poor games for us (Arsenal).

“Obviously, the mistake from the goalkeeper is one. We could go into that debate about whether the second goalkeeper should start, and all that rubbish, but the fact is that's the final and a mistake from the second goalkeeper has cost us.

“And then they scored soon after that, and then we lost our way in the game before we could get the substitutes on.”

For Neville, though, Arrizabalaga was not alone in his questionable performance. He pointed the finger at striker Viktor Gyokeres as well as Arrizabalaga.

The Swede was ineffectual under the Wembley arch, managing just 17 touches of the ball and failing to record a shot despite playing the full 90 minutes.

Neville told Sky Sports Arsenal were fortunate to have the international break to re-centre themselves before getting back into the thick of the Premier League title race.

He said: “It's a desperate day for Kepa, Viktor Gyokeres & Co., but they've got time to recover.”