HAS HE LOST THE DRESSING ROOM?
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to leave the field during the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
His manager, Maurizio Sarri, had tried to bring on Willy Caballero to replace Arrizabalaga but Chelsea’s starting goalie was having none of it.
Late in the second half of extra time Arrizabalaga briefly went down holding his left leg. However, he quickly signalled to the bench that he was fine to continue.
Presumably not wanting to take any risks going into a penalty shootout to win the cup, Sarri chose to continue with his substitution and bring on Caballero, a goalkeeper who actually produced a shootout masterclass to win the League Cup in 2016.
However, Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted. He sent Sarri mad with rage, causing him to leave the technical area and head down the tunnel towards the doors to the dressing rooms.
It was absolutely astonishing and quite frankly, may end being difficult to come back from for Sarri.
Live scenes of Chelsea goal keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and Sarri. Man wants to finish the match😂.#CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/vojAennPdc
— Chemical Boy 👌 (@chemicalboyy) February 24, 2019
Caballero was overcome with emotion and was shown being comforted in the tunnel.
Chelsea went on to lose the penalty shootout to Manchester City, Sarri’s first major cup final as a manager.
Arrizabalaga actually saved a penalty and should have stopped another but his hand was not strong enough to keep Sergio Aguero’s out. Brutal, brutal stuff.
Manchester City were eventual victors 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
