Paul Merson's Bold Call for Arsenal's Carabao Cup Final Lineup
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has made a passionate plea to manager Mikel Arteta, urging him to stick with the players who have propelled the Gunners to the Carabao Cup final, even if it means benching a world-class talent. Arsenal are set for their first Wembley final in front of fans since 2017, aiming to kickstart a potential historic quadruple with a victory over Manchester City.
The Goalkeeper Dilemma: Kepa vs. Raya
Second-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been instrumental in Arsenal's Carabao Cup journey, playing every match and heroically saving penalties in the quarter-final win against Crystal Palace. Despite joining from Chelsea last summer, Kepa has served as understudy to David Raya, who has enjoyed another stellar season as the primary keeper.
Arteta faces a major conundrum ahead of Sunday's final, an opportunity to end a six-year trophy drought. Merson, who was man of the match in Arsenal's 1993 League Cup win, argues that Kepa has earned his spot through performance and deserves a shot at redemption after past heartbreaks with Chelsea.
Merson's Analysis and Team Predictions
In an interview with Sportskeeda, Merson highlighted Arsenal's confidence, noting their unbeaten run against City in nearly three years. He predicted the starting lineup, emphasizing attacking strength with players like Eberechi Eze, who thrives at Wembley, having scored in last season's FA Cup final for Crystal Palace.
- Merson expects an attacking quartet of Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, and Eze.
- Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are tipped to anchor the midfield.
- The key decision remains in goal, where Merson advocates for Kepa over Raya.
He stated, "Kepa has been first-choice in the Carabao Cup, and I think they should stick with him. It's only fair because he played well and got you to this stage." However, Merson acknowledged Raya's world-class abilities, praising his saves against Everton and Leverkusen as phenomenal.
Support from Arsenal Legends
Declan Rice and Thierry Henry have both lauded David Raya's contributions this season. Rice emphasized Raya's training intensity and leadership, calling him incredible and a confidence booster for the team. Henry suggested Raya should be in contention for Player of the Season, highlighting his consistent, game-saving performances.
Despite this praise, Merson insists on principle, arguing that Kepa has not let the team down in the competition and merits the start to maintain momentum.
Quadruple Dreams and Final Predictions
Merson believes a win in the Carabao Cup final could keep Arsenal's quadruple hopes alive, with the Premier League title seemingly secured, a favorable FA Cup draw, and a Champions League quarter-final against Sporting. He cautioned that Manchester City remains a formidable opponent, capable of hurting any team if the game becomes open.
He concluded, "If I had to pick a team, I would go Arsenal. However, that doesn't mean it will be easy. The quadruple dream is still very much on if the Gunners win this final." Merson's insights add to the pre-match drama as Arsenal prepares for a crucial showdown at Wembley.
