Mikel Arteta’s Confidence in Kepa Arrizabalaga for FA Cup Quarter-Final
Mikel Arteta has expressed his confidence in Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton. Despite a costly mistake in the Carabao Cup final, where Kepa gifted Manchester City their opening goal, Arteta remains committed to the 31-year-old goalkeeper.
Kepa has not featured in any Premier League matches this season, with his appearances limited to the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and a Champions League game against Kairat. However, he has been a consistent presence in the FA Cup campaign, playing every minute so far.
Arteta emphasized that Kepa is ready to face Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday night. “He is ready to play,” said the manager. “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.”
The Spaniard also highlighted the support Kepa has received from his teammates and staff. “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 a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. Despite this setback, the Gunners remain nine points clear in the Premier League title race. They will now face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final, aiming to secure a place in the semi-finals.
In addition, Arsenal will travel to Sporting Lisbon for the first leg of their Champions League last-eight match next week. The defeat at Wembley raised questions about the club’s big-game mentality, leaving Arteta still waiting for his first trophy in nearly six years.
Reflecting on the loss, Arteta described the feeling as “like a ball of poison that you have in your tummy.” He added, “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.”
Arteta continued, “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.”
