Falcao
An officiating controversy ensured Monaco’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal - and with it Valencia’s triumph in the Emirates Cup.
Radamel Falcao
scored the winning goal - but most of the talk will be about the
decision that snatched away an Arsenal penalty and with it the chance of
an equaliser.
Martin
Atkinson pointed to the spot in the 81st minute, with Arsenal still
trailing by that single goal, as Chuba Akpom was brought down by
goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.
After
a glance to his assistant, he then changed his mind, indicating for a
free kick right on the edge of the box instead. Replays confirmed what
most in the ground already knew - the foul had been within the area.
So
the game was settled, then, by Falcao’s goal in the 36th minute, a
header from a poorly-defended free kick, conceded by a rash Jack Wilshere challenge on Nabil Dirar. The Colombian was left unmarked in the middle and stole in front of everyone else to guide the ball past Wojciech Szczesny.
This was a
much stronger Arsenal side than the admittedly second-string XI that
faced Benfica in their opening match; but equally Monaco were a much
sterner test.
Alexis, always
lively, made it through three-quarters of the game, in which he ran
tirelessly and impressed with his vision; and Aaron Ramsey, so impressive against Benfica, was kept tightly muzzled by a much more organised side.
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