Arsenal player ratings vs Man City: Kepa horror show in Carabao Cup final loss | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta’s biggest selection call backfires badly for Gunners at Wembley

Arsenal’s hopes of an unprecedented quadruple came to a crashing halt with a 2-0 defeat by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.

The Gunners went into the Wembley showdown looking for their first piece of silverware since the FA Cup in 2020, but a Nico O’Reilly brace ensured that wait goes on.

The first of those goals came from a big mistake from Kepa Arrizabalaga, who did not justify Mikel Arteta’s decision to start him over David Raya.

Standard Sport’s Matt Verri was at Wembley to rate the Arsenal players...

Kepa Arrizabalaga 2

Horror show. Massive error to let cross squirm through his hands and leave O’Reilly with a tap-in. Before that he made a huge mess of a long ball over the top and booked for dragging back Jeremy Doku.

Ben White 5

Linked up well in attack early but had a tough time defensively. Doku had the beating of him in the second half and then booked for clattering into Rayan Cherki, who had just juggled the ball.

William Saliba 8

Dominated battle with Erling Haaland in the first half, winning their wrestling matches and all three duels. Defended brilliantly when Haaland threatened to run clean through. Won that head-to-head.

Gabriel 7

Two crucial blocks early on, even if the first one was to make up for a terrible pass out. Did his best to try and weather the City second-half storm, but even he could only do so much.

Piero Hincapie 4

Ragged at times and the most uncomfortable of Arsenal’s players. Booked for a late lunge and far too easily beaten by Antoine Semenyo when he tried to dive in. Could easily have been brought off at half-time.

Martin Zubimendi 6

Superb pass slid through to Kai Havertz for big chance in early stages. Influence faded and when Arsenal struggled to get on the ball, he barely had a kick. Familiar questions over how tired he looks.

Declan Rice 7

At least tried to inject some dynamism in midfield. Pressed on to Rodri without success but the intent was there. Great cross should have been headed in by Riccardo Calafiori to make it 2-1.

Bukayo Saka 5

Arsenal needed more from their captain. Won a couple of fouls but that was about it. Switched to No10 midway through the second half and nowhere to be seen. Corner delivery was below his usual standards, too.

Kai Havertz 4

Big chance early on when James Trafford smothered his shot. That was as good an opportunity as Arsenal had for the next hour. Could not hold the ball up and get his side up the pitch. No impact.

Leandro Trossard 5

Unlucky to hit the post when he got a slight touch on Calafiori’s hammered shot. Created that space with a clever flick. Otherwise far too quiet and strange that Arteta did not turn to Gabriel Martinelli earlier.

Viktor Gyokeres 5

Troubled the City defenders in the opening minutes with his pace in behind. Ran the channels well but did not have a sniff of goal and anonymous in the second half.

Substitutes

Riccardo Calafiori (Hincapie 66’) 5

Brighter than Hincapie but two what-if moments. Headed straight at Trafford when free in the box and then lashed a strike across the goal that Trossard turned on to the post.

Noni Madueke (Havertz 66’) 5

Direct in his running to try and make an impact but again no end product. Sloppy moment when trying to control a long ball and it bounced out of play. Summed it up.

Gabriel Martinelli (Trossard 82’) 4

Miles off the pace after coming on. Could barely keep hold of the ball.

Gabriel Jesus (White 82’) 6

Unfortunate that looping header bounced off the crossbar in the closing stages.