MIKEL ARTETA will keep faith with Kepa Arrizabalaga for Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final at Southampton on Saturday.
That is according to former Gunners goalkeeper Graham Stack, who believes Arteta will resist the urge to start .
Kepa Arrizabalaga has come under fire after a poor performance in the Carabao Cup finalCredit: Kieran McManus/Shutterstock
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack believes Mikel Arteta will stand by KepaCredit: PA
Kepa has got the nod for all of Arsenal’s domestic cup games this season – but he had a nightmare in the final last time out.
The Spaniard spilled Rayan Cherki’s cross, which allowed Nico O’Reilly to score the opening goal as Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners at .
But asked if Arteta will pick Kepa again this weekend, Stack told SunSport: “I think he’ll stick with him. I think he’ll restore some confidence in him.
“I think he’ll probably have a little chat with him this week and reassure him that he is a great goalkeeper, or can be a great goalkeeper, to put it behind him and back him.
“Because I think when you get that backing from a manager after a big mistake, I think that speaks volumes about a manager. But it also gives you a massive lift as well.
“I thought it was definitely the right thing to do – Kepa was excellent in the run-up to the final. I think he deserved to play in the final.”
Stack has experience of being a No2 at after competing with when the Gunners went the whole of the 2003-04 Prem season unbeaten.
He believes axing Kepa now could have big consequences, especially if Raya were to get injured in the game at Saints.
“If he drops Kepa against Southampton and he plays Raya, and Raya gets injured against Southampton, Kepa has to play the rest of the season.
“What will that say about the manager? Where will Kepa’s mentality be? “Where will his frame of mind be, knowing that if his manager drops him against Southampton because he’s deemed not good enough.
“Then all of a sudden he’s relied upon and trusted to come and play week in, week out, between now and the end of the season to try and win three trophies? It would be a car crash.”
Arsenal are still in contention to win the Treble this season despite losing the Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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