Kepa Arrizabalaga demonstrates his confidence once more as Chelsea bid adieu to Aston Villa in a heated Carabao Cup tie.
The Spaniard proved to be the hero for the second time around. With the match taken to penalties, he saved Marvelous Nakamba’s effort heroically to gift Chelsea qualification to the fourth round.
Reece James delivered the winning penalty to send Thomas Tuchel’s men through. Ben Chilwell failed to convert, his strike hitting the woodwork for a miss.
Kepa Arrizabalaga steps up
The 26-year-old received heavy criticism from Chelsea fans for his dull performances. As a result, new signing Edouard Mendy replaced him as the starting goalkeeper.
Kepa Arrizabalaga signed for Chelsea from Athletic Club for a record fee of £71,600,000. This earned him the tag of world’s most expensive goalkeeper.
Lacking in game time recently, the Spanish goalkeeper’s confidence had hit rock bottom.
However, Mendy suffered a knock in Chelsea’s Champions League group-stage opener against Zenit. Hence, Kepa was called up.
The ex-Bilbao man added a second shoot-out success to his UEFA Super Cup final exploits in coming off the bench to edge out Villarreal on penalties in Belfast in August.
The Spain international might be second choice goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge, but his continues to grow – and importance to boss Tuchel.
Timo Werner’s first goal in 11 games handed Chelsea control early in the second half. However, the Villans’ teen striker Cameron Archer drew level with a thumping header for a 1-1 score at full-time.
The game was tough and intense. Both sides had their fair share of chances but neither could find the cutting edge to kill off the game. The result, the tie going on to penalties with Kepa and Chelsea edging Villa 4-3.
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