‘He’s the last man, always is as the goalkeeper, so just play it safe’ Hoddle reacts to Leno’s sending off

Glenn Hoddle has been left baffled by Bernd Leno’s decision making after the German earned an avoidable red card against Wolves last night.

With Arsenal already a man down and a goal down, the German misjudged the flight of the ball and handled it outside his area as he rushed out.

He didn’t even need to rush out as he did or to handle the ball because he wasn’t exactly under pressure.

Hoddle says Leno was in two minds when he came out for the ball and didn’t know exactly what to do.

He added that as the last man, he just needed to chest the ball or kick it away to safety.

While no one knows what he was thinking about, he simply failed to play it safe and caused problems for himself and his teammates.

He added that Arsenal should have wrapped up the game in the first half when they were on top and had taken the lead.

‘He was in two minds, of some sort,’ Hoddle said on BT Sport via the Metro

‘What was going through his mind I don’t think anyone will know but he’s just got to play safe! 

‘He’s the last man, always is as the goalkeeper, so just play it safe. Head it out, knock it out with your chest, do something. 

‘He’s got caught in two minds and it was disastrous for Arsenal because they should have wrapped the game up in the first half an hour.’

Tags Bernd Leno Glenn Hoddle

6 Comments

  1. Leno proved that his decision making other than actually shot stopping (which he is very good at) is suspect and he was and is known for it. The two red cards that we got have ruined our premier league prospects. We are now in one shot saloon of the EL.

  2. Meanwhile Man City and Leicester pick up comfortable away 3 pointers. Top 4 is a big ask for Arsenal now. Emery was sacked about this time in his term with the team in a better position on the table. Management expected Emery to make top 4 and sacked him when it became clear he would not achieve that. Will management apply the same standard to Arteta if he does not make top 4 this season?

    1. I would hope not.
      Anyone who cannot see and/or remember what Arteta inherited, have very short memories.
      What Arteta has done, is bring back our club to some kind of sanity.
      I don’t agree with everything he has done, but he has shown that, come hell or high water, it’s his way or no way.

      No excuses, if it doesn’t work out, it’s all down to him.
      The first 45 minutes against Wolves was the example of what we can expect over the rest of the season – great football.

    2. I really dislike him and to be honest, even after winning, I ask myself if we should sack him. I disliked him since last season but we made a phenomenal finish in FA cup which kinda saved our season and he was new to the team.
      I think, unless we have someone who already knows the team like Freddie L. It will be difficult for most managers to come midseason. Therefore, I would have waited to end of the season.
      Unless he finish strong in PL, and Europa, he should be sacked.

  3. What Hoddle said was exactly right, if we had been ruthless and taken a few of the good chances we made we would have been 3 goals ahead and wouldn’t have to worry about red cards. Can anyone imagine us scoring 9 as MU did, even though Soton had 2 players sent off, we would never go and do that.

  4. It’s been ages since Arsenal had any clue about being ruthless when the need arises, I cannot see Arsenal putting 3 goals past Southampton even if they had 4 red cards, big teams punish teams when they have the opportunity but Once Arsenal is maybe leading by two goals, you see them playing their usual toothless sideway and backward passes.

    Arsenal should have finished off Wolves in first half of the game, but this is football and you can be punished for being complacent.

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