Mikel Arteta Confident in Kepa Arrizabalaga for FA Cup Quarter-Final
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he is prepared to reintroduce Kepa Arrizabalaga into the starting lineup for Arsenal’s upcoming FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton. This decision comes despite Kepa’s controversial mistake in the Carabao Cup final, where he gifted Manchester City their opening goal in a 2-0 defeat.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper has not featured in any Premier League matches this season. His appearances have been limited to the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and a Champions League match against Kairat, which was effectively a dead rubber. Despite his error against City, Arteta remains confident in Kepa’s ability to perform under pressure.
Kepa has played every minute of Arsenal’s FA Cup campaign so far, and Arteta is determined to keep him in the team for the crucial match against Southampton. “He is ready to play,” said Arteta. “I’m never going to judge a player or make a decision because he has made an error. Attitude, behaviour, yes, 100 per cent, but an error is part of football, and anybody can do it.”
Arteta emphasized that Kepa has received support from his teammates, staff, and fans. “I don’t know if he needed it (an arm around the shoulder), but he has had it. Just in case. From all of them. From his team-mates first, then myself, all the staff, and hopefully all our supporters. I don’t think he needed it because he’s got so much experience, and he’s been through all kinds of different scenarios in his career, so he’s more than ready to play.”
Arsenal’s hopes of a quadruple were dashed by their 2-0 loss to Manchester City. However, the Gunners remain nine points clear in the Premier League title race. They will face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final, with the aim of securing a place in the semi-finals. Additionally, Arteta’s team will travel to Sporting Lisbon for the first leg of their Champions League last-eight match next week.
The defeat at Wembley raised concerns about the club’s performance in high-stakes games. Arteta has yet to win a trophy since taking charge nearly six years ago. Reflecting on the loss, the Spaniard said: “It’s like a ball of poison that you have in your tummy. But take that out as quick as possible, and how can I use that to make myself better, to make the team better?”
“It’s not going to go in the next 30 years because when you have the opportunity to win a final in Wembley, you have to get it done. So that has to stay there. And that’s part of who you’re going to be in the next few weeks, in the next few months, in the next few years. Learn from that and make sure that that fire is still in Wembley, remembering what happened.”
“That has been the mindset and the only work that we have done in the last few days, to use that as fuel, as tools, to be able to get the final push that we want and achieve what we want. And immediately, I could sense that (from the players). It will make us better and now we have to use it for the most important and beautiful part of the season.”
