Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/2024549/anniversary-gift-controversial-winner-wengers-arsenal-he-marks-20-years
Sport/ Football

Anniversary gift: controversial winner for Wenger’s Arsenal as he marks 20 years with win at Burnley

Last-gasp goal deflects in off Laurent Koscielny’s hand from a close-range Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shot to give Gunners a lucky 1-0 victory

Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (R) scores the controversial winner deflecting in off the hand of Laurent Koscielny. Photo: AP

A controversial last-gasp goal deflected into the net off Laurent Koscielny’s hand from a close-range shot by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave Arsenal a lucky 1-0 victory at Burnley on Sunday as manager Arsene Wenger marked his 20th anniversary at the club.

Wenger admitted that the win, which moved Arsenal up to third in the Premier League, had been “fortunate” after a hard fight by Burnley.
Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger celebrated 20 years in the job with a last-gasp win over Burnley. Photo: AFP
Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger celebrated 20 years in the job with a last-gasp win over Burnley. Photo: AFP

“We have been fortunate today to win the game because we were a bit jaded physically and we made some technical mistakes, especially in the first half,” Wenger told the BBC, adding that he would have to see the replay of the goal to pass judgement on it.

Just when the home side thought they had secured a hard-earned draw, their defence failed to deal with a short corner that swung in from the right. The ball was headed on to substitute Oxlade-Chamberlain, who bundled the ball on to the hand of a possibly offside Koscielny near the end of added time.
Burnley’s Sam Vokes heads at goal. Photo: Reuters
Burnley’s Sam Vokes heads at goal. Photo: Reuters

It was a cruel end for Burnley and manager Sean Dyche was predictably unhappy. “You have to question the added time, the corner and whether it should have come in, the handball, and question whether we should have dealt with it,” he said.

Burnley had twice gone close to opening the scoring when Sam Vokes headed wide and Michael Keane hit the crossbar.

At the other end, Alexis Sanchez forced a good save from Tom Heaton and blasted wide from inside the area.
Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (C) and Shkodran Mustafi celebrate after the win over Burnley that lifts Arsenal into third spot in the EPL. Photo: AP
Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (C) and Shkodran Mustafi celebrate after the win over Burnley that lifts Arsenal into third spot in the EPL. Photo: AP

With Theo Walcott also missing out with one curled effort, the visitors abandoned their patient approach in search of the winner.

Arsenal are now unbeaten in six Premier League games.