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Graeme Souness has launched a blistering attack on Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal, accusing them of engaging in underhand tactics and tarnishing the beautiful game, Soccernet.football reports.
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The Gunners, currently sitting pretty at the top of the league, have been branded ‘cheats’ by the ex-Newcastle and Liverpool gaffer, who did not mince his words when dissecting their controversial set-piece setup.
With a staggering 16 goals coming from corners and free-kicks this season, thanks in no small part to the wizardry of specialist coach Nicolas Jover, Arsenal’s rise in this department has raised eyebrows and ire alike.
Their latest triumph over North London rivals Tottenham saw them bagging two crucial goals from corners, but it was not all high-fives and celebrations.
Defender Ben White found himself at the center of a storm after his questionable antics, including a glove tug on Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
White, who has been Arsenal’s chief troublemaker in set-piece situations, has consistently courted controversy with his disruptive maneuvers. From ruffling feathers against Chelsea to his eyebrow-raising tactics against Tottenham, White’s antics have not gone unnoticed.
But Souness is not one to bite his tongue. The former Scottish player and manager is adamant that Arsenal’s shady strategies will not go unnoticed for long, urging match officials to step up and stamp out what he dubs their ‘dark arts’.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Souness didn’t hold back: “I’ve heard a lot of talk about the ‘genius’ of Arsenal’s so-called set-piece ‘guru’ and the incredible work he’s played in the team’s push for the title.
“Well, forgive me for bursting the bubble here, but amid all the excitement about the goals Tottenham conceded from corners last week, something very significant was somehow missed. Two of those goals should not have counted.
He continued, “We are witnessing a stealthy, very deliberate strategy from Arsenal – and Ben White in particular – to obstruct goalkeepers in a way which will avoid detection by the referees.”
Souness, citing the rulebook, did not mince his words: “Might I suggest the referees consult their own little FA rule books for a definition of that term?
“Law 12 states, in black and white, that obstruction is ‘moving into the opponent’s path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player.
“Set-piece genius? Call me old-fashioned, but what we’re seeing here is cheating. This blocking by players from set-pieces is more prevalent than ever before, which presents a challenge for referees. But Arsenal do this every game, and it’s always by White, so the penny should have dropped long ago.
He didn’t stop there, adding fuel to the fire, “Arsenal have been using this pattern of offending ever since the set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, joined Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
“That was two seasons ago. Don’t even get me started on the fact that we also have the VAR officials, sitting in their warm booth, equipped with the camera capacity that ought to be pulling Arsenal up on this every time.”
Table-topping Arsenal are looking to win their first Premier League title since 2004 but may still lose out to champions Manchester City.
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