Wenger admits Giroud ‘deserved’ red and suggests reason for headbutt

Wenger admits Giroud ‘deserved’ red and suggests reason for headbutt after QPR win

20:35 26 December 2014

Tom Moore at The Emirates Stadium


Arsene Wenger has revealed that Olivier Giroud apologised to the Arsenal squad after his red card for heading Nedum Onuoha in the Gunners’ 2-1 win over QPR.




The Frenchman lost his cool after the Rangers defender appeared to try and ease him out of the way of the loose ball and headbutted him right in front of referee Martin Atkinson.

The match official had no hesitation in producing the red card and dismissing the Frenchman and Wenger had no complaints with the decision, suggesting that Giroud’s recent spell on the sidelines with a broken leg might have been the catalyst.

“It was a deserved red card,” he said. “Madness is a big strong word but he didn’t kill him you know.

“He touched him and he should not have done it. Olivier Giroud knows he made a mistake and I know him well enough to think that he will not do it again.

“He told me he was pushed in the back and projected against the keeper.

“Maybe the injury he had played on his mind and he was scared to be injured again. Usually he is a guy in control of his response.”

Arsenal were in cruise control at the point of the red card, leading 1-0 through Alexis Sanchez’s 15th goal through the club.

Tomas Rosicky made it 2-0 after the dismissal but Charlie Austin’s penalty led to a nervy ending.

“We made it hard work for ourselves in the end,” the Gunners boss said. “But we had two games – one where we were completely in control and, even with 10 men, we were in control until 2-1. After, you never know.

“The last five to six minutes were edgy as we conceded a goal last week and that was in our mind but overall, I think we were in control for big parts in the game and we have shown resilience and fortunately got the three points.”

Sanchez should have taken his tally to 16 but saw his early penalty saved by Rob Green.

It was a surprise to see the in-form forward take the spot-kick with Santi Cazorla the appointed taker for today’s contest – the injured Mikel Arteta is the normal taker.

“Santi is a nice guy and let him take it,” Wenger said. “Sanchez is not number one on the list – that is true. Arteta is our number one taker but at the moment Cazorla is.”

 

Giroud is an A1 twat!

 

Ned did over react to the head butt and went to ground too easily, should at least have stayed on his feet. Irrespective, Giroud's an idiot for reacting as he did and fully deserved to go.

 

Agreed. Giroud just didn't like the way Ned pushed him aside like a rag doll in the first place.