Why Steve Cooper does not want two 'poor decisions' to be the Leicester City headline at Arsenal
Steve Cooper felt Leicester City were the victims of two poor decisions in their late defeat to Arsenal but he does not want those to be the headline story as the club’s search for a first win goes on.
Cooper watched his side suffer a “cruel” loss at the Emirates Stadium, with two goals conceded in stoppage time to deny City a comeback draw. But while Arsenal were dominant and City relied on an incredible performance from Mads Hermansen to keep them level, Cooper also felt two pivotal decisions went against his side.
He felt Jamie Vardy should have been awarded a free-kick for a foul by William Saliba in the build-up to Arsenal’s first goal, and indeed the City boss received a yellow card for his complaints. He also felt Riccardo Calafiori should have been sent off for a second booking midway through the second period for a trip on Facundo Buonanotte. Instead, the City attacking midfielder was yellow carded for asking for a red.
READ MORE:Shoppers can grab a pair of winter boots for less than £5 at Matalan
READ MORE:Gary Lineker agrees with Steve Cooper about 'cynical' moment in Arsenal v Leicester City
But Cooper was also wary of deflecting too much attention onto the officials when City are still without a victory. That’s now six Premier League games without a win, and there is potential for them to fall into the relegation zone before next weekend’s game.
“We were very disappointed with a foul not being given on Vards for the first goal,” Cooper said. “And although we don’t come into games trying to get players sent off, why he hasn’t sent off Calafiori is a little bit beyond belief.
“Because of the spell we’re in and the spell that I’m in personally, I’m trying to not let referees’ decisions be the headline, as I’m trying to take responsibility for a team that needs to get better results. But we feel those were two poor decisions.”
City were pinned back in the first half, conceding twice, but pulled the game level thanks to a brace from James Justin, including a stunning volley for the equaliser. But after several excellent Hermansen saves, City’s resistance was broken in added time. Cooper thought his team would see it out.
“It was a really tough first half and we knew it was possible we’d have to suffer in these games in terms of possession and territory, but there was too much of that in the first half,” Cooper said, reflecting on the result. “It wasn’t the plan. We talked about what it would look like but in the first half we didn’t show enough on the ball to get us up the pitch.
“The second half was a great show of how together we are. I had a different experience here where a team went under. We saw the opposite from the guys today in terms of their attitude and commitment and sticking to the task. We get ourselves back on an even keel and who knows how it might have gone?
“Again, territory, suffering, but I honestly thought we would see it through. As dangerous as Arsenal are from corners, to get a deflection as we did, and for Mads to concede a goal like that with the performance he gave, it was cruel. We end up feeling really disappointed and frustrated with the result.
“It’s another game we don’t win, but I see the guys every day, I see how hard they work, I see the spirit and the engagement in the plan. I’m just glad in serious moments like going into the second half, we showed that, and we showed quality as well.
“With JJ’s goal, although it’s an unbelievable finish, it’s something tactically that we work on a lot. So that was pleasing. There were some good moments but it’s not been enough in terms of getting a result.”