The Arsenal midfielder appeared to rugby tackle the speedy attacker on Sunday.
Mateo Guendouzi has told Arsenal’s official website that he had no choice but to cynically foul Wilfried Zaha in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Emirates.
The French midfielder was booked in the dying stages after wrestling him to the ground as the jet-heeled Palace attacker looked to race through on goal following an Arsenal corner.
Zaha had the legs to burst away from the covering Sokratis and Guendouzi decided to take one for the team.
Speaking to Arsenal’s official website about the challenge – which is being described as a rugby tackle – he said: “I had to foul Zaha at the end, otherwise he is through on goal on his own. I’m the last defender but I’m far from our goal as well. I had to do it.”
Arsenal were 2-0 up at one point and sailing after goals from Sokratis and David Luiz, but Luka Milivojevic slotted a penalty just before the half-time break, awarded by VAR after Martin Atkinson had originally booked Zaha for diving.
And Jordan Ayew then equalised for the visitors on 52 minutes.
Unai Emery’s side thought they had nicked the points with a late Sokratis goal, but VAR overturned the decision.
Arsenal remain fifth but there is now a four-point gap between them and Chelsea in the last Champions League qualification spot.
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