Former Manchester United and Manchester City goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has slammed Arsenal’s tactics more than just the once this season
Manchester United icon Peter Schmeichel has remained unwavering in his criticism of Arsenal’s approach to the game this season. He made considerable remarks following the Gunners’ hard-fought three points against West Ham on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s outfit clung on for a crucial 1-0 victory after the Hammers had a 95th-minute leveller chalked off. The disallowed strike enabled Arsenal to restore their five-point cushion over second-placed Manchester City, though Pep Guardiola’s team have a match in hand.
Schmeichel slammed the decision to rule out the goal after Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was judged to have been impeded – and it’s not the first occasion he’s targeted the Gunners this campaign. He previously asserted that Arsenal bring an “ugly” brand of football to the Premier League.
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The Dane criticised Arsenal for their style of play following their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in August. The former shot-stopper was irritated by Arsenal’s now signature strength in dead-ball situations against Arne Slot’s Reds.
“I have never in my life ever wanted a team to win a game of football more than Liverpool today. Arsenal bring an ugly brand of football to our game,” he said on Viaplay.
“I don’t want to insult Arsenal but their brand of football is so annoying to watch, it’s designed to exploit opponents while waiting for set pieces.”
His latest remarks rapidly spread across social media on Sunday. Arsenal had taken the lead in the match through Leandro Trossard’s 83rd-minute goal at the London Stadium.
Controversy erupted when Callum Wilson seemed to salvage a late equaliser for the Hammers, who are fighting desperately to stay up. West Ham’s jubilant celebrations were quickly halted, though, after footage of the incident prompted an on-field review.
Pablo clutched Raya’s arm as he leapt, with referee Chris Kavanagh ultimately disallowing the goal. Schmeichel, who also turned out for Manchester City, insisted that Arsenal – the Premier League’s most effective team from set-pieces – would be nowhere near the summit if such conduct is deemed a foul.
“That decision today, it’s just so wrong on so many levels,” the Dane told Viaplay. “What really makes me angry is that Arsenal would never be top of the league if that’s a free kick.
“That’s how they’ve scored so many goals by blocking people, holding people, doing all kind of things, and then we get to this point… it takes VAR five minutes.
“Darren England the VAR official, (it takes him) five minutes. He starts the replay over and over again. That in itself puts so much doubt into that decision. It cannot be a free kick, it cannot.”
Schmeichel added: “I think it’s so wrong, I just don’t understand why all of a sudden that’s a free kick, because it’s not been for any teams all the way throughout the season. All of this, it’s just crazy, and that decision today is just so wrong on so many levels.”
Arteta, meanwhile, praised the officials for their boldness in making such a crucial call. He said: “A call from the refs that I think is very brave, but very consistent with what they’ve been talking about all season.
“So when I have to be critical, I have been. And it is a free kick and the goal has to be disallowed. So congratulations because they made a big call in very, very difficult circumstances.”
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