“I’ve no sympathy for him” - Pundit slams Arsenal star with ‘brains of a rocking horse’ following Manchester City draw
Football pundit Richard Keys has blasted Arsenal attacker Leandro Trossard for his sending off during their 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday, September 22. This reduced the Gunners to 10 men going into half-time, putting them at a massive disadvantage in their top-of-the-table Premier League clash.
Erling Haaland gave the Cityzens an early lead in the ninth minute. Arsenal responded well to take the lead via goals from Riccardo Calafiori (22') and Gabriel Magalhaes (45+1'). Unfortunately for the visitors, Trossard received a second yellow card in the eighth minute of first-half stoppage time for kicking the ball away after committing a foul.
The Gunners bravely defended in the second half but their resistance was undone when John Stones poked home (90+8') to earn the hosts a point.
Keys was unimpressed by Trossard's decision-making, writing on his official blog (via The Boot Room):
“I’ve no sympathy for Trossard. What he did was just plain daft, so soon after Declan Rice was punished for kicking the ball away. He deserved to go. But if he hadn’t been booked for doing that, he could easily have been booked for the foul that led to the incident. There was no need make that clumsy challenge – right on half-time, handing City a chance to have a crack at goal from the free-kick."
He added:
“I do agree with Arteta that Doku should’ve been booked. He too kicked the ball away, but let’s not forget it would’ve been a simple yellow. Trossard was on a yellow when he committed his crime. The guy must have the brains of a rocking horse.”
Declan Rice was dismissed for the same reason earlier this season, resulting in Arsenal being held to a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion (August 31).
"He’s right up there" - Former Tottenham defender admits Arsenal star as the best in the world following Manchester City draw
Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Gary Stevens has hailed Arsenal's David Raya as the best goalkeeper in the world on current form. It comes after the Spaniard had a phenomenal performance against Manchester City.
Raya saved the Gunners on numerous occasions in their 2-2 draw against the Cityzens, making nine saves in total. The Spaniard also made 16 recoveries and has made an excellent start to the season, keeping four clean sheets in six appearances across competitions.
Stevens told Stadium Astro (via METRO):
"He’s certainly a keeper in form, in great form. He’s right up there. He’s dominant when he comes to crosses and he’s a great shot-stopper. He joined the club on loan and there was that debate over who would start. Mikel Arteta stuck with Raya and he’s now a permanent signing and Arsenal have got this one right, 100%."
When asked if Raya was the best goalkeeper in the world, he responded:
"Yeah, he’s right up there. Now I would definitely say there’s not a better goalkeeper out there than him."
Arsenal next face Bolton at home in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, September 25.