Mikel Arteta's big decision on his Arsenal goalkeeper for Carabao Cup final against Man City | OneFootball

Choice between David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga could be crucial

Mikel Arteta has had no problem making ruthless decisions as Arsenal manager.

It is nonetheless still a crucial decision as Arsenal look to win their first piece of silverware since 2020 and fuel belief that an unprecedented quadruple could really be a possibility.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has played every minute of the Carabao Cup campaign so far. He kept clean sheets against Port Vale, Brighton, and against Chelsea in the second leg of the semi-final.

David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga in training ahead of the Carabao Cup final

AFP via Getty Images

However, there is now a trophy to be won and Arteta must be tempted to go with his best goalkeeper.

Raya has produced some remarkable moments this season. He made a wonderful late save against Bayer Leverkusen to deny Christian Kofane, in keeping with the form he has shown in recent months.

Against Chelsea in the Premier League, he saved two points with a stunning stoppage-time stop from a curling Alejandro Garnacho effort. There were similarly decisive moments against Brighton and Brentford in December.

There is no doubting that Raya is the best goalkeeper Arsenal have, but Kepa is a good enough deputy that there is a legitimate debate over what Arteta does at Wembley.

Kepa has twice played in a Carabao Cup final and lost them both on penalties. In 2019, he infamously refused to be substituted by Maurizio Sarri.

There is unlikely to be any repeat of that this weekend, not least because Arteta would be more likely to march on and drag Kepa off himself than allow that to happen.

Seven years on, Kepa also has had a very different role to play. The 31-year-old is still the most expensive goalkeeper in history but he is now second-choice, a smaller cog in a potentially all-conquering machine.

Kepa was the hero as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace on penalties in the quarter-finals

Getty Images

A different role but still a key one. Speaking earlier this week, Kepa had the air of a man who was confident he would be in goal on Sunday afternoon.

“You know you are one game away from being able to lift a trophy. Obviously, it’s going to be a tough game, a very difficult game, but we’ll go for it," Kepa said.

“I have played in the League Cup final before, but I have played many finals in my career, I have been lucky in that way.

“So I will just approach the game the best way that I can. We will prepare everything in the best way, because at the end the aim is to win."

For all he has no problem making decisive calls, Arteta is also acutely aware of the squad dynamic.

He views substitutes as "finishers", emphasising their importance even though not starting, and the Spaniard has made a big effort to cultivate a united squad.

Raya has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe

Getty Images

Being in four competitions for so long as helped that, allowing minutes to be shared around more than would have otherwise been possible, and that factor could play a significant part in Arteta's goalkeeper decision.

If Arsenal were not seriously in the title race and this final was their sole chance of silverware, Raya would almost certainly start.

However, Arsenal are still in the quadruple hunt. Raya will want to start at Wembley but he will also be aware there are plenty of other big occasions for him in the weeks ahead.

Arteta will potentially view this final as a chance to prove his trust in Kepa. If Raya were to pick up an injury in the run-in, he needs Kepa in confident mood.

The ruthless win-at-all-costs decision would be to play Raya. The longer game, though, with an eye on the bigger picture and what is still to come means Kepa is favourite to start.