Carlo Ancelotti has told Stadium Astro that Bernd Leno is a ‘fantastic’ goalkeeper for Arsenal despite his mistake on Friday evening.
With the game petering out to a dull goalless draw, Leno managed to somehow nutmeg himself following a tame cross from Richarlison on the right-hand side, as Arsenal fell to yet another home defeat.
Whilst the protests outside of the Emirates Stadium called for Stan Kroenke to sell up, the mood wouldn’t have been lightened by Leno’s actions and another defeat for the North London club.
But Ancelotti defended the £19 million goalkeeper (Guardian) and even admitted that his side were ‘lucky’ in the game.
“I think it was a mistake from Leno but he’s still a fantastic goalkeeper,” said Ancelotti. “It happens in football.
“There were some difficult situations with VAR, with offside, with penalties, in the end, we have to say that we were a little bit lucky because I think Arsenal played a good game.”
In truth, both teams looked abject on the night and didn’t deserve anything from the game.
But that one moment from Leno cost Arsenal, who now go into Thursday’s season-defining Europa League tie with more pressure on their shoulders and no form.
Added with that, certain players face a race in time to be fit because if Arsenal are knocked out by Unai Emery then the obvious will be staring Mikel Arteta on the wall.
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