- James Trafford will start in goal for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final
- Arsenal were debating whether to start David Raya or Kepa Arrizabalaga
- The Gunners have now made their final decision.
Arsenal have named their goalkeeper for the Carabao Cup final and like Manchester City, they will not be fielding the player who usually starts between the sticks.
The Carabao Cup final is already shaping up to be an interesting battle, with each team’s lineups still very much uncertain.
Both Manchester City and Arsenal would be expected to use the players who usually start the most in the Premier League, but this might not happen, at least not in the goalkeeping position.
James Trafford will start for Man City in the final, despite the fact he has made only 12 appearances this season.
For Arsenal, there have been discussions about whether Kepa Arrizabalaga will get the chance to start ahead of David Raya and a decision has now been made.
Kepa will start the Carabao Cup final
Mikel Arteta said during his pre-match press conference that he knew which of his shot-stoppers would start the Carabao Cup final. However, he did not reveal any specific information on if it would be Raya or Kep starting.
Well according to The Athletic, it is Kepa who will line up against Man City, even though the 31-year-old has started three fewer matches than Trafford during the current campaign.
Still, Kepa has started every one of Arsenal’s League Cup fixtures this season, so in a way it makes sense to stick with him.
Man City have defeated Kepa before in a Carabao Cup final
During his Chelsea days, Kepa played against Man City in the 2019 Carabao Cup final and he delivered one of the most shocking moments in the history of the competition.
Maurizio Sarri wanted to substitute the Spaniard for Willy Caballero ahead of a penalty shootout, but he refused to leave the pitch.
Kepa would go on to be left with egg on his face, as Man City went on to lift the trophy after some well-taken spot kicks.
Now, Kepa has a chance to redeem himself at a different team, but Erling Haaland and his teammates will be looking to inflict misery on him, as the club’s former players once did.
