Arsenal 0-2 Man City: Gunners Haunted by Keeper Kepa’s Cup Curse

Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley added another chapter to Kepa Arrizabalaga’s unfortunate record in the competition.

The Spanish goalkeeper has now played in three League Cup finals, 2019 and 2022 with Chelsea, and 2026 with Arsenal, without ever lifting the trophy. That tally equals the record for most finals played without a win, alongside Les Sealey and Roy Keane.

Arsenal began brightly, creating the best chances in the opening 15 minutes, only to be denied by a stunning triple save from City’s young goalkeeper James Trafford.

But the game turned decisively in the second half when Kepa mishandled a Rayan Cherki cross, allowing Nico O’Reilly to pounce and score from close range.

The mistake handed City the breakthrough and shifted momentum firmly against Arsenal, who had looked the stronger side in the first half.

The Gunners’ early dominance faded after conceding, and O’Reilly’s second goal minutes later sealed the contest.

For Arsenal, it was a bitter blow in what had been a promising performance, while for Kepa it reinforced a narrative of bad luck and costly errors in League Cup finals.

Arrizabalaga’s unwanted record now stands as one of the most striking in the competition’s history. Despite his experience and contributions in earlier rounds, his latest mistake proved decisive in denying Arsenal a chance to end their wait for the trophy.