Jamie Carragher was critical of Bernd Leno for the part he played in Arsenal conceding a comical goal during their 3-3 draw against West Ham, as he told Super Sunday on Sky Sports.
It was a disastrous start for Arsenal, whose opening half an hour was summed up by the second goal they conceded from a free-kick situation.
Near-on every Arsenal player switched off before Jesse Lingard’s quickly taken free-kick resulted in Jarrod Bowen beating Leno at his near post.
Carragher made it clear that Leno ‘cannot blame anyone’ for that goal, as he described the reaction to the Arsenal players turning their back on the free-kick as ‘shocking’
“You talk about taking it quickly, he just takes it and goes,” said Carragher. “It was Jesse Lingard with the pass.
“The goalkeeper cannot blame anyone. Whether it was a quick free-kick or the referee. When it’s your free-kick, you should have the advantage, whether Arsenal complain or not.
‘But if Arsenal have got any complaints then it should be with the goalkeeper. Jarrod Bowen, on that side, very tight angle and goes through the keeper.
“Who’s looking at the ball. Maybe David Luiz and Odegaard are the only two looking at the ball. That’s shocking that. You learn that as a kid. You never turn away from the ball, especially in free-kick situations.”
Arsenal needed to concede another goal before they could wake up and get playing against this Champions League-chasing side.
And whilst the comeback showed spirit and heart from the Arsenal players, it’s also a worrying sign and a reason as to why they are sitting outside of Europe in the Premier League table.
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