Michael Owen thinks the decision to award Gabriel Jesus a penalty during Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Leeds United on Saturday was ‘quite soft’.
Despite that viewpoint, the former England striker still thinks it was the correct call to punish Luke Ayling for his foul on Gabriel Jesus.
The incident happened in the first half when the scores were 0-0, with Luke Ayling holding a dejected figure after he went to ground in a rash manner.
The issue for the Leeds right-back was that he didn’t need to lunge and go to ground like he did because he just made the official’s mind up.
Either way, it was a turning point in the game because Leeds were playing well, possibly heading into the half-time goalless, only for that moment to put Arsenal ahead and in control for the rest of the game.
It was also a much-needed goal for Jesus given that it was his first Premier League start since the World Cup, as he added a second after the break, Michael Owen shared his thoughts, as he told Premier League Productions (01/04/23 at 5:15 pm).
“You see a foot from Ayling onto the knee of Jesus,” said Owen. “It is quite soft and there isn’t that much force into it. But I do think it’s high and there is enough contact to give a penalty.
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“But the relief (for Jesus to score again). When you come back from injury after a long period of time as a centre-forward. You are just desperate to start hitting the back of the net and for him to net a brace. The penalty not so convincing.”
AYLING AT THE EMIRATES
Last season, Ayling was getting sent off at the Emirates after he went in two-footed on Gabriel Martinelli near the corner flag.
At that time, Leeds were 2-0 down, and even though they only lost the game 2-1 given the match situation, it was still a costly error from the Englishman and dropped points for his team.
He must hate the sight of going to the Emirates because it’s proving to be a problem ground for the player.
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