Keith Hackett explains Peter Bankes 'error' as Kepa Arrizabalaga avoids red card vs Man City

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Credit: Imago / Sky Sports Mon 23 March 2026 12:15, UK Kepa Arrizabalaga correctly avoided a red card against Manchester City, but Peter Bankes is not completely off the hook.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the referee should have kept playing as the Arsenal goalkeeper fouled on Jeremy Doku.In the 51st minute, the Spaniard misjudged a long ball over the top, forcing him to hold City’s electric winger back while his teammates retreated, and many felt it should have been a red card.Man City eventually beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, 22 March, thanks to a Nico O’Reilly brace, but it could have been a much simpler game against 10 men for the Citizens.Kepa Arrizabalaga is shown a yellow card after holding Jeremy Doku back.Erling Haaland was not impressed with the referee's decision, and wanted play to carry on instead. pic.twitter.com/FvRO09HFMd— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 22, 2026 View Tweet ⚽ Man City Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, tactical previews and expert breakdowns for every Manchester City fixture. VISIT THE MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Kepa Arrizabalaga spared his blushes by Peter Bankes in Carabao Cup finalSpeaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “The error that Bankes made is that had he held onto his whistle, there might have been a different outcome.

“I support his decision [not to red card Kepa] because it’s a difficult one. I would use the clip in a training situation, asking the referee in a debrief why he blew his whistle so early.

“There’s always a risk of retaliation – was that what made him stop the game? Would he have made a challenge?