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Kepa Arrizabalaga was consoled by both sets of goalkeepers at full-time after his howler set Arsenal on their way to another final defeat as Manchester City claimed the Carabao Cup.

The Spaniard has continued to play in between the sticks for the Gunners during their run to the final at Wembley, but he dropped a second-half cross which allowed Nico O'Reilly to score the opening goal.

The City left-back would double City's lead just four minutes later as they dominated the second 45 to claim the first trophy of the season. The first goal of the afternoon was always going to be crucial, and ultimately owed to a mistake from the Arsenal goalkeeper.

But at full-time every goalkeeper took a minute to go and console Kepa. David Raya was on the Arsenal bench whilst James Trafford started for City. They also had Gianluigi Donnarumma on the bench.

Kepa has endured several heartbreaks in the Carabao Cup final. Back in 2019 he was part of a Chelsea side that lost a penalty shootout to Guardiola's men and in 2022 he was again a loser in a shootout, on that occasion to Liverpool.

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The ex-Blue moved to Arsenal in the summer but has had to accept a back-up role with Raya the clear No.1 at the Emirates. He was lucky to dodge greater punishment shortly before conceding the opening goal. He came out for a long ball, but misjudged it and had to tug on Jeremy Doku. He was handed a yellow card, rather than being dismissed.

Former Gunner Ian Wright said on Sky Sports that the error from Kepa "has cost us". The Spanish goalkeeper has not even played 10 times this season but Arteta kept faith with him. City also stuck by their No 2 with Trafford starting ahead of Donnarumma.

Jamie Redknapp was scathing about Arsenal's decision to stick by Kepa, despite having Raya available with a trophy up for grabs. He said: "Kepa is not as good as Raya, that's why he's your No 2. So why in a major final, when you're trying to get across the line, you've not won a trophy in so long, do you decide to play him.

"You have to take responsibility for that, that's a monumental error. I'm not saying he's a bad goalkeeper, but he's not as good as Raya. You can turn around and say Trafford isn't your No.1 either, but he made three big saves and then he was hardly tested."

Defeat for Arsenal was their fourth loss in the final of the Carabao Cup, previously known by other names, in succession. They were beaten by City in 2018.

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