Arsenal news: Pundit rubbishes guilty Mikel Arteta verdict after controversial footage analysed
Kevin Campbell has rubbished suggestions Arsenal should have had their third goal against Watford chalked off.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gunners and Everton striker said Roy Hodgson’s side cannot blame Mikel Arteta for Gabriel Martinelli’s strike.
As per footage from Sky Sports last Sunday (6 March), Arteta played a key role in Arsenal’s third and final goal in a 3-1 win at Vicarage Road.
The Gunners boss left his technical area to quickly get the ball to Bukayo Saka who started the attack which eventually led to Martinelli’s goal.
Ex-Fifa official and Premier League official Keith Hackett told Football Insider (7 March) that the 52nd minute strike should have been disallowed.
When asked for his assessment of Hackett’s comments, Campbell told Football Insider: “Listen, Keith Hackett is a belt and braces man.
“Yes, technically it may be the case that the goal should not have been allowed.
“But, come on, so much happens between that throw in and the goal. Watford cannot blame the goal on that.
“Keith, you are a legend but leave this one alone! I think it was the right decision to let it stand.”
Speaking to Football.London on the incident, Arteta said: “If it helped the team a little bit to get what we wanted, that’s exactly what we need.
“Everybody can contribute somehow and I had the opportunity to do that, so it’s good.”
In other news, Arsenal could reap the dividends from a controversial new Uefa plot after Kieran Maguire claims ‘it’s just wrong’.