Ian Wright slams Leeds United defender Luke Ayling in Arsenal Premier League clash
Ian Wright slams Leeds United defender Luke Ayling for giving away a penalty that saw Arsenal take the lead on Saturday, 1 April.
The Whites started the game at the Emirates strongly and created a lot of goal-scoring opportunities playing on the counter attack.
However, the Gunners were the team to break the deadlock courtesy of a Gabriel Jesus penalty which Ayling caused by making a challenge.
Speaking on Premier League Productions’ half-time show, Wright said [01/04, 15:55], “There’s a little bit of contact. That there is why he’s been given the penalty. Can’t argue against it.
“That’s a poor penalty to give. You cannot be throwing yourself to the ground like that.”
Controversial
Ayling was already on the ground before he made contact with Jesus and there seems to be a little play-acting from the Brazilian there.
He saw that the defender’s leg was up in the air and made the most of it by throwing himself theatrically to the ground.
Had he been tripped while in motion, it would be a different story altogether, but that wasn’t the case and the referee should’ve at least rechecked it.
This is not taking anything away from Ayling as he cannot be making such tackles like that when there’s no chance of winning the ball.
He let his side down at a moment in which they were still in the game and it’s baffling to see an experienced player making such a decision.
That took away their chance of getting anything from the game and he’s really let down his entire team and manager in this one.
In other Leeds United news, a teenager now looks closer than ever after what he did at Thorp Arch during the international break with Javi Gracia taking note.
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