Ian Wright has given his take on the sending-off of Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela against Arsenal on Premier League Productions.
The Arsenal legend has explained why Lamela, who can play as a winger or as an attacking midfielder, was surprised when he was given his marching orders in the North London derby against the Gunners on Sunday evening.
The 29-year-old was sent off in the 76th minute for two bookable offences, as Spurs lost the Premier League game 2-1.
It was a controversial decision, as it appeared that Lamela was just trying to protect the ball, but the Argentina international did catch Kieran Tierney.
Lamela looked surprised at the decision, and Arsenal legend Wright has given his take on the incident, and so has former Liverpool striker Michael Owen.
Wright said on Premier League Productions: “I will tell you why he will probably think that because as a kid, you are told to get yourself across, so your arm has to get across and it has to be stiff. There’s no elbow in that.
“You say why he is surprised. He is surprised simply because he is getting ready to hold the player off because that’s what you are taught, but now that’s something else we have got to look at because you can’t do that.”
Lamela said on Premier League Productions: “I can see why it’s a second yellow card. I am not going to sit here and argue it, but I don’t like it because it’s almost part of the game protecting the ball.”
Entertaining North London derby
The penalty that Arsenal earned in the second half – which they successfully converted – was another controversial incident.
Lamela scored a world-class goal in the first half, and the Argentine will be disappointed that it did not count for anything in the end.
It was a very good and entertaining North London derby, and it is a shame that there were no fans inside the stadium.
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