Thomas Frank defended Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale following his horrendous error during Saturday’s win over Brentford.
The England international was making his first Premier League appearance since November’s reverse fixture.
Standing in for David Raya, ineligible to feature against his parent club, Ramsdale had almost nothing to do during the opening period until the fourth minute of injury-time.
Spurning theopportunity to launch the ball up the pitch first time, Ramsdale allowed Yoane Wissa the opportunity to close him down and could only look on in horror when he clearnace rebounded into the back of his own net.
The former Sheffield United star, to his immense credit, made two superb saves in the second period to keep the scores level and those contributions proved even more vital when Kai Havertz pounced to head home the winner in the closing stages.
Asked after the game if he instructed his players to deliberately target Ramsdale, Frank said: ‘I think I actually said to Ramsdale I don’t think he deserves to be criticised for a mistake.
‘I think it’s more unbelievable pressure from Wissa. If you see the way he accelerates it could happen to David Raya.
‘I think it was fantastic pressure from Wissa and if you saw how many times they went long every single time we were very brave to go man to man.’
Asked to expand on what he told Ramsdale after a game which may well turn out to be his last in Arsenal colours, Frank added: ‘I said I think he’s a very good keeper and I didn’t want him to be involved in that situation.
‘Again I can’t say strongly enough I don’t think it was a mistake, but very good pressure from Wissa.’
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