FUMING Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli accused Brentford captain Christian Norgaard of a “nasty” foul that could have broken his leg.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was also furious, claiming Norgaard should have received a red card instead of a yellow for the first-half scissor tackle from behind.
PAGabriel Martinelli claimed Christian Norgaard’s ‘nasty’ foul could have broken his leg[/caption]
GettyThe Arsenal star was chopped down by Brentford’s captain in Saturday’s 1-1 draw[/caption]
ReutersMartinelli was left in a heap on the floor as Norgaard received just a yellow card[/caption]
Sky SportsMartinelli went on the attack at full-time[/caption]
Winger Martinelli insisted: “In the moment, if my foot was on the floor, he could break my leg.
“He said he didn’t mean it. I believe him but still he could have broken my leg. For me it was red. It was nasty.”
Arteta let rip at the fourth official as Martinelli lay stricken on the ground.
The Gunners boss said: “My reaction tells you everything.”
Brentford chief Thomas Frank disagreed, saying: “It was a strong yellow — but it was a yellow.”
Norgaard and Martinelli are believed to have shaken hands at half-time but the fallout continued after the game.
Ex-top ref Mark Halsey agreed with Arsenal, adding: “A challenge that endangers a player’s safety with excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned with a red card.
“This was a scissor-challenge from behind — that’s serious foul play.
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“It could have resulted in a serious injury for Martinelli.”
The Gunners took the lead through Thomas Partey’s second-half goal.
Mikel Arteta is adamant that Norgaard should have been given a red cardReuters
ReutersThomas Frank reckons the correct decision was made with the yellow[/caption]
But they were pegged back as Brentford striker Yoane Wissa hooked in his 15th Premier League strike of the season.
The draw leaves the Gunners ten points behind leaders Liverpool and for the first time, Arteta all but conceded the title.
And the Arsenal boss admitted his team’s season now hinges on the Champions League quarter-final, with the Gunners heading for Real Madrid on Wednesday to defend a 3-0 lead from their first-leg win.
Arteta said: “Today, what we wanted to do was increase the probability of us really challenging for what we are looking for in the Premier League.
“With that result, obviously, it’s more unlikely to happen. There are still six games in the Premier League which are going to be really important.
Arsenal ratings vs Brentford as Partey dominates in midfield but Jorginho a passenger as title hopes fizzle
ARSENAL saw any lingering Premier League title hopes go up in smoke after dropping more points against Brentford.
Mikel Areta made five changes from Tuesday’s stunning 3-0 win over Real Madrid for the Gunners’ return to domestic duty.
And, the magnificent Thomas Partey aside, it seemed this Arsenal XI had more than one eye on Wednesday’s return leg in their Champions League quarter-final.
It started out like a pre-season friendly, with Arsenal cautiously trying to avoid any unnecessary injuries ahead of the big trip to the Bernabeu.
And while Brentford chanted “You’ll win f*** all” come May, the away players started flat in their chase for European qualification.
Arsenal thought they took the lead but Kieran Tierney‘s header in the 26th minute was ruled out by the new semi-automated offside rule.
And moments later Brentford captain Christian Norgaard avoided a red card for a rough challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.
Partey finally found a breakthrough after a lung-bursting counter-attacking run from provider Declan Rice, before Arteta brought on the cavalry.
Yet the subs actually negatively effected Arsenal‘s momentum, and Brentford quickly equalised through Yoane Wissa‘s acrobatic finish.
After just two wins in their last seven league games, Arsenal are now 10 points behind Liverpool, who need a maximum of just three victories to secure the title.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Gunners at the Emirates stadium…
“But, for sure, now it’s all about Wednesday.”
Frank hailed Wissa’s fabulous season in front of goal and his team’s resilience in coming from a goal down to keep their hopes of European football next season alive.
The Brentford boss said: “How many teams have a No 9 who has scored 15 goals? It is maybe only Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland.
“So that is exceptional from Wissa, big credit to him, and hopefully also to the way we play and the chances we create.
“It is a very good point against a very good Arsenal team that beat Real Madrid four days ago.
“Fighting back to get to 1-1 shows the character in our team.
“We’d love to compete for Europe and aim for as high as possible.”
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