“It’s a quite common weakness amongst players” - Gary Lineker highlights mistake from Chelsea star Malo Gusto in 1-1 draw with Arsenal
Gary Lineker has explained how Chelsea star Malo Gusto managed to miss a close-range header in their 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday (November 10). The Blues hosted the Gunners at Stamford Bridge in a crunch Premier League clash over the weekend.
Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for the north London outfit at the hour mark before Pedro Neto found the equalizer ten minutes later.
The possession was more or less split between the two teams, with Chelsea and Arsenal registering an xG of 1.55. The Blues and the Gunners matched each other with three shots on target and a draw seemed a fair representation of their respective performances.
In the first half, Gusto had an excellent opportunity to secure the lead for Chelsea. Pedro Neto picked out his teammate with a dangerous cross into the box but Gusto's header went above the crossbar and the chance was lost.
Discussing the strike on The Rest is Football podcast after the game, Lineker said (via TBR Football):
"You see so many players missing headers like that. You know what it is because I’ve kind of mentioned this before, but the ball comes over, and I think as you head it, there’s a tendency to close your eyes. And when you close your eyes, you dip your head, and if you watch it, I think he did exactly that, and then it comes off the top part of the forehead."
"I was taught by a guy called George Dewis when I was young, who was a great Leicester goal scorer for many years. And he used to say, you’ve got to keep your eyes open, keep your eyes open, and therefore, you’ll see it right onto your forehead and it won’t go up in the air. And it’s a quite common weakness amongst players, but it was a fabulous chance.”
The Blues will next face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on November 23 after the international break.
Frank Lampard explains why Chelsea star Cole Palmer was 'quiet' against Arsenal
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard believes Cole Palmer's position on the pitch against Arsenal restricted him to a timid display.
The England international struggled to make a major impact against the Gunners, a surprise for some given his excellent form for the club since last year. Palmer created just one chance the entire game and failed to register a goal contribution.
Lampard believes Palmer couldn't express himself because he occupied the left side of the pitch rather than the center or the right. The former Chelsea midfielder said after the game:
“Cole Palmer was more quiet. He found himself more on the left side of the pitch and I felt like it closes the game for him a bit on that side rather than coming in off the right or being more central.”
“These are little things they can tweak and improve as they go but they competed against a good Arsenal team."
Both teams are on 19 points following the draw, but the Blues are third in the league table, one spot above the Gunners due to a superior goal difference.