Mikel Arteta on why Kepa Arrizabalaga started vs Man City

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that it would have been very unfair to drop goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

The Gunners missed out on the opportunity to win a trophy after a 2-0 loss to the Cityzens at Wembley. Pep Guardiola's side opened the scoring after a blunder from Kepa.

The Spaniard's poor handling put the ball on the plate for Nico O'Reilly to break the deadlock. The Man City graduate went on to double the advantage minutes later.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said that Kepa deserved to start between the sticks, having played in every round of the competition, he said: "I have to do what I think is right, honest and fair.

"It would have been very, very unfair on him and on the team to do something different."

Arsenal return to action after the international break against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final on the road next month.

It remains to be seen whether the Spaniard gets the nod in another Cup game or David Raya is reinstated in goal at St Mary's.