Very reminiscent of Martin Keown, back in 2003.
Aaron Ramsdale was never too far from the action at the Emirates Stadium, this afternoon, as Arsenal and Manchester United both showed top sides how NOT to defend.
There were chances galore in the Premier League encounter, with both Ramsdale and David De Gea flat out for long stretches.
Ramsdale made a couple of fine first half saves but also needed Gabriel to bail him out with a sliding challenge to deny Bruno Fernandes a goal, after his poor pass was intercepted by Scott McTominay.
Arsenal were leading 2-1 at the time
With Arsenal leading 2-1, midway through the second half, Nuno Tavares gave away a clear penalty after handling an in-swinging corner.
There was a pause for a VAR check and Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take the penalty. Ramsdale was chawing away at the Portuguese and had to be told to take his place on the goal-line before the kick could be taken.
Fernandes stuttered his run-up and did send Ramsdale the wrong way, only to pull his kick too far to the left. It struck the base of the post and Arsenal were let off the hook.
Ramsdale then embarrassed himself with an over-the-top celebration right in front of Fernandes after his miss.
When it seems like it just can't get worse for Man Utd, Bruno Fernandes misses from the spot…
Was Aaron Ramsdale's celebration reminiscent of a certain @martinkeown5 👀 pic.twitter.com/66j2orz0jb
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 23, 2022
Ramsdale channelled his inner Martin Keown
The Aaron Ramsdale celebration in front of Fernandes reminded many football fans, and BT Sport commentator Robbie Savage, of former Arsenal defender Martin Keown.
Back in 2003, Keown jostled and jeered Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy after his last-minute penalty miss against the Gunners, at Old Trafford. Lauren and Ray Parlour also shoved van Nistelrooy after his missed spot-kick.
When the game resumed, Ramsdale gave a better account of himself by tipping a goal-bound Diogo Dalot shot onto the post, as Arsenal stayed 2-1 ahead.
The Gunners’ victory was confirmed with 14 minutes to go when Granit Xhaka fired a long-range shot past De Gea in the United goal.
Xhaka wasn’t even shooting. Still livid at giving away that free-kick and accidentally smashed it in the goal pic.twitter.com/2Fxxxa7rmC
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) April 23, 2022
Related links:
- Man United denied penalty in first half against Arsenal despite handball
- Arsenal awarded controversial penalty against Man United after VAR rules out goal
- Harry Maguire was ‘told to quit Man United’ during bomb threat
