Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made a pointed remark regarding Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes following the Gunners’ 1-1 draw against the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Fernandes initially put Manchester United ahead with an impressive free kick, although there are concerns regarding the positioning of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
The 30-year-old midfielder seemingly advanced the ball an additional yard, which allowed him to achieve the necessary elevation for the shot.
Typically, a free kick should be taken from a distance of 10 yards from the wall, yet the £375,000-per-week Manchester United player appeared to have positioned the ball one yard closer.
This slight adjustment provided him with the opportunity to lift the ball over Arsenal’s defense and direct it into the goal, narrowly clearing Gabriel’s head. Thus, that extra yard proved to be crucial.
When questioned about the potential advantage taken by Fernandes, Arteta characterized him as a “streetsmart” player, suggesting he possesses a level of cleverness that surpasses that of the referee.
The Arsenal boss said: “They just mentioned that. If Bruno has done that, football is for streetsmart players and he’s done that and capitalised on it, he’s more clever than us and the referee.
“I don’t know but he’s done it, it was a goal, so they took advantage of that. Football is for clever people.”
Arsenal experienced a disappointing afternoon, now finding themselves 15 points behind Liverpool, effectively rendering the title race nearly concluded.
Manchester United currently occupies the 14th position in the league with 34 points and must aim to conclude the season on a strong note to secure a place in the top half of the standings.
The Red Devils have managed only one victory in their last five Premier League matches, although there are indications of progress under the management of Ruben Amorim.
On Thursday night, United will compete against Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 matchup at Old Trafford, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg held in Spain.