Why is Arteta laughing after Carabao Cup final loss?

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Just Arsenal News

·4 April 2026

Why is Arteta laughing after Carabao Cup final loss?

How the media are handled is part of football management. That is why clubs pay substantial amounts for the best press officers to prepare responses and even advise journalists on which questions are appropriate or off limits.

The very best managers plan the message they want to convey when being interviewed; every word has a purpose.

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Mikel Arteta has had two weeks to reflect on the Carabao Final.

If he has seen signs of a lack of confidence in his squad, then our manager chose to mask it on Friday, opting to remain calm and in good humour during his FA Cup pre-match press conference.

Messaging and Responsibility

The Spaniard knows that many within the sport have questioned the decision to start Kepa against Manchester City. After the goalkeeper’s error gifted the opening goal, he was always going to be asked who would start in goal at Southampton.

The BBC quoted the 44-year-old’s response.

“Tomorrow, the goalkeeper is going to be European. He is under 32 and right-footed. And he speaks at least two languages.”

There was laughter in the room, but as someone desperate to see the team I support win a trophy, I did not find anything amusing.

As someone who invests both emotionally and financially in the club, it is painful to see them outplayed in a final.

Expectations and Accountability

It is Mikel Arteta’s responsibility to give Arsenal the best possible chance of lifting silverware, and he is among the highest-paid managers in the world to deliver that outcome.

He earns that salary to make the correct decisions in key moments. Therefore, when a selection appears to be based on sentiment and results in a costly error, it is understandable why some will question whether David Raya should start at Saint Mary’s.

If there is a desire to protect a player, that is understandable.

If there is a belief that remaining loyal was the correct moral decision, that is acceptable.

However, passive-aggressive humour is difficult to justify.

This is not about demanding an apology or even a detailed explanation, but rather about demonstrating accountability. If I made a significant mistake at work, I would feel a sense of responsibility for letting people down, and it would not be something I would treat lightly.

Dan Smith

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