Paul Merson criticised Crysencio Summerville for spurning a chance to secure Leeds United a lead at Arsenal. The Gunners broke the deadlock only minutes after his miss.
Leeds faced the Premier League leaders at Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Javi Gracia’s fifth top-flight match in charge. The Whites would hold Arsenal at bay throughout the first 30 minutes, too. But Summerville failed to capitalise on his chance to find the net.
Aaron Ramsdale saved Arsenal from falling behind as Summerville fired a shot too close to the goalkeeper. The winger drilled a low strike toward the England international’s net right before the half-hour mark. But it was simple enough for the Gunners shot-stopper to save.
Arsenal punished Leeds soon after Aaron Ramsdale denied Crysencio Summerville
Summerville continued to probe Arsenal’s backline soon after and created another chance for Leeds. The 21-year-old set Jack Harrison up to test Ramsdale but the goalkeeper had an answer to the winger’s shot. Luke Ayling then felled Gabriel Jesus in the Whites’ box.
The penalty came against the run of play as Summerville and Leeds began to test Arsenal’s defenders more and more. But Jesus faked Ayling, who clipped the Brazilian’s knee trying to stop him from shooting. The forward then made no mistake from the spot to go 1-0 up.
Crysencio Summerville left Paul Merson very unimpressed at Emirates Stadium
Jesus’ penalty gave Arsenal the momentum Summerville’s missed chance could have given Leeds. Gracia had recalled the Dutchman to his starting line-up in north London having laid on an assist at Wolves last Saturday. The winger fed Rodrigo’s late goal to secure a 4-2 win.
It was only Summerville’s second assist in the Premier League this season after 20 outings. He had also scored four times ahead of starting at Emirates Stadium after finding the net in four straight games in October and November. But the winger was 10 games without firing.
Merson was adamant that Summerville should have done better with his chance to secure Leeds a lead at Arsenal, too. The winger’s hit was ultimately too easy for Ramsdale to save.
“I think Leeds should go one-nil up here,” Merson said on Sky Sports News (01/04, 15:29). “They play some great football on the left-hand side. Then Summerville gives a give-and-go [and] he’s in, corner of the box. I think he should do better.
“He should bend it around the ‘keeper, Ramsdale makes a good save in the end. I think he should do better.”
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