Guendouzi rugby tackles Zaha at the end, but had no choice (plus video)

In last night’s game against Crystal Palace, the young Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi could only watch events unfolding when the referee first of all decided that he hadn’t committed a foul on Louis Zaha in the box and, in fact, was going to book Zaha for simulation. But then the VAR intervened and changed the decision completely by then awarding a penalty to Palace, which was duly converted.

This allowed Palace back into the game and a long discussion ensued as to whether Zaha had actually dived or not, but after the game, the youngster did not complain about that decision, in fact he just said on Arsenal.com that “Zaha did well to get a penalty.” So, it doesn’t sound like he was upset about it.

In fact if it was the referee who had made an instant decision then it is certain that Matteo would have been given a caution, and it could have been a red.

But luckily for Arsenal, Guendouzi was still on the pitch at the end, and he was there to rugby tackle Zaha again and at that point the referee had no choice but to book him for such a blatant attack, and Guendouzi admitted he had no choice. “I had to foul Zaha at the end, otherwise he is through on goal on his own. I’m the last defender but I’m far from our goal as well. I had to do it.”

So let’s have a look at it again from a home made recording….

Doesn’t that just show how much passion Guendouzi has for playing with Arsenal?