Arteta blasts referee Pawson after narrow Foxes defeat
Arteta blasts referee Craig Pawson after 1-0 defeat against Leicester
By Will JenningsMIKEL ARTETA fumed at referee Craig Pawson for disallowing Alexandre Lacazette’s early goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat against Leicester.
The Gunners were floored by a late Foxes smash and grab as Jamie Vardy netted the decisive goal in the 80th minute at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal looked to have taken the lead after just three minutes but Lacazette’s header was ruled out for offside after it was adjudged Granit Xhaka had interfered with play in front of Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Arteta blasted Pawson for chalking off the Frenchman’s strike as the Gunners, who dominated possession throughout, went down to their third defeat of the Premier League season.
Asked if he’d received an explanation from Pawson about the disallowed goal, the 38-year-old moaned: “No. I asked them and they didn't say anything.
“I’m really disappointed. We had it in our hands in the first half and I don't know how the hell the goal was disallowed.
“We were very on top of the game, we restricted them to nothing. We scored a goal from the set-piece, I don't know how it got disallowed.
”At the end of the day, if you cannot win it for any reason, you don't lose it. We still had some moments after the goal, but we gave too many free-kicks away, we didn't put the ball in the box enough and it's something we have to improve for the future.
"To be fair I was really pleased with the first half and the way we pressed and the aggression we showed against a team that are very capable of breaking that pressure and creating chances against you.
"In the second half and it was about being patient and waiting for the right moment against a team that wanted to defend really deep.
"They didn't have any shots on target and they were just waiting for a mistake to go on the break.
"The moment we had a minimal mistake with no pressure on the ball, trying to step in, they caught us with the space at our back and we lost the game.”
Arteta’s side looked the more likely to grab the winner but Vardy, who was introduced as a second-half substitute by Brendan Rodgers, headed home Cengiz Under’s cross to break Arsenal hearts with ten minutes to play.
The Foxes offered little attacking spark throughout but the Gunners were unable to convert any of their 12 shots on Schmeichel's goal.
Arsenal now lie tenth in the Premier League table, three points adrift of Leicester who occupy the final Champions League position.
Arteta’s misery was exacerbated by the injuries suffered by both David Luiz and Bukayo Saka, who limped off in the second period as the hosts pressed for a winner.
Vardy and Leicester were the ones who got it, however, and boss Rodgers hailed his ‘world-class’ striker for coming off the bench scoring his 11th goal in 12 games against the Gunners.
"Everyone talks about the goals he scores against Arsenal and the big teams but that's why he's a big player,” the 47-year-old said.
"He makes that big contribution in the biggest games and that shows you the level that he's at. He's a world-class striker and I'm very lucky to have him here."
"I thought we deserved it. We're playing against a really good side whose movement is good, the set-up slightly different tonight as well, but I know they've got quality and the players that can run in behind.
“To come and keep a clean sheet and play with that quality and also calmness was really good."
On the injuries suffered to Saka and Luiz, Arteta added: ”We have lost a few players in the last week or so.
”David had a muscular problem and couldn't carry on so we will have to assess him in the next 48 hours."
Photo credit: Getty Images
