Chelsea keeper Arrizabalaga benched by Sarri for Spurs derby

LONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who refused to be substituted in the League Cup final, was left out of the starting lineup for their home clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, with Willy Caballero taking his place.

The Spaniard, the world's most expensive keeper, was fined this week after refusing to be substituted by manager Maurizio Sarri near the end of extra time in their defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

His actions appeared to undermine the authority of the under-pressure Sarri who had told Caballero to get ready to go on after Arrizabalaga suffered cramp in the dying minutes.

Chelsea ended up losing on penalties.

While both Sarri and Arrizabalaga described the bizarre incident as a misunderstanding, with Arrizabalaga later apologising to his manager, Sarri has clearly sent a message to his first-choice keeper by leaving him out against Tottenham.

It will be former Manchester City keeper Caballero's first Premier League appearance of the season.

Arrizabalaga starts on the bench. (Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Toby Davis)