Tottenham legend, Ledley King, defended Cedric Soares for his handball during Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday, as he told MatchDay Extra on PL Productions (23/04/22 at 8:15 pm).
As the 30-year-old fell to the floor in the penalty area, he appeared to drag the ball back with his hand, which stopped Jadon Sancho from running away from the Arsenal defender.
It was one of a number of controversial calls made by the on-field referee, Craig Pawson, and VAR at the Emirates, with those three points pushing Arsenal into fourth above Tottenham.
Spurs had the chance to reclaim fourth spot away at Brentford, but they recorded a goalless draw and the race to secure Champions League football is now out of their hands.
Nonetheless, despite the controversy during Arsenal’s win against Manchester United, former centre-back King made it clear that Cedric had ‘nowhere to go’, as he defended the player’s actions and added by saying ‘I am Tottenham as well’.
“He has got nowhere to go there,” said King. “He can’t fall on his face. For me, he’s using his arms to protect himself. I am Tottenham as well.”
The north London derby next month is going to be one for the ages and a game that might just decide who plays Champions League football next season.
West Ham United were in that race, but they suffered a defeat at Chelsea on Sunday and are now out of it.
Whilst Manchester United have somehow become gradually worse as the season is drawing to a close, which then just leaves the north London duo to fight it out with one another.
Arsenal won the reverse fixture at the Emirates, but that Spurs team had Nuno Espirito Santo in the dugout back then and now they have the serial winner in Antonio Conte.
Either way, on an off-day, the north London derbies are entertaining, so this one will hit new levels for sure.
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