Paul Merson was critical of Arsenal goalkeeper Berd Leno on Soccer Special on Sky Sports (02/02/21 at 7:35 pm) for the manner in which he got sent off against Wolves.
Arsenal were already down to ten men and losing 2-1 when Leno decided to rush out of his penalty area to clear the ball.
But the £20 million shot-stopper (BBC Sport) clearly had a brain freeze because he decided to land an Anthony Joshua-like jab on the ball, which resulted in one outcome and one outcome only.
Merson shared that there was no need for Leno to come out of his area, nevermind him handling the ball.
“It’s pouring with rain, it’s really slippery,” said Merson. “He doesn’t have to come out of his box.
“He comes out of the box, and as he comes out, he runs past the ball and punched it with his arm! It’s a stonewall sending-off.
“You just cannot believe it. They have just capitulated, Arsenal. You feel for Arteta.”
The problem that now creates for Arsenal is that they will be without their key man between the sticks for the showdown against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Ironically enough, Emiliano Martinez, who was Arsenal’s number two, will line-up in goal for the opposition.
But it seems as though Martinez has paid homage to Leno’s blunder on Tuesday by producing his own last night as Villa slumped to a 3-1 defeat against West Ham.
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