After Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, there were notable moments of Kepa Arrizabalaga’s sportsmanship as players from both teams came out to cheer after the final whistle at Wembley.
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The Spanish goalkeeper endured a tough afternoon in which a costly mistake led to City’s opener, before Josep Guardiola’s side secured victory with a dominant second-half performance.
What happened to Kepa after the final whistle?
BBC sports reporter Alex Howell from Wembley said the immediate reaction from his fellow goalkeepers highlighted the respect within the position.
“The goalkeeper union is really great.
All the Manchester City and Arsenal goalkeepers on the pitch consoled Kepa Arrizabalaga and had words for him. ”
It was a small but decisive moment after a high-pressure final. The 31-year-old was clearly affected after the mistake that ultimately swung the momentum of the match in City’s favor.
Kepa’s mistake sealed Arsenal’s defeat
The Arsenal stopper was trusted to start ahead of first-choice David Raya, despite Mikel Arteta having some reservations when discussing his appointment earlier in the week, a decision that unfortunately backfired in the second half.
Kepa’s dropped cross put City ahead with a header from Nico O’Reilly, who doubled their lead a few minutes later, leaving Arsenal to trail with little reaction.
This was in sharp contrast to Manchester City’s goalkeeping performance, with James Trafford making a vital triple save in the first half to keep his team level before the breakthrough came.
After the match, Declan Rice was among those criticized for his inability to influence developments in midfield, but the Spain international’s decisive moment marked a turning point in a final that was always likely to be decided by a narrow margin.
Despite the disappointment, the reaction from both goalkeepers ensured that Kepa didn’t have to worry about just the mistake, highlighting the unique bond that exists within the position even on football’s biggest stage.
