Rio Ferdinand hailed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for nutmegging Ederson for the second goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City.
The BT Sport pundit claims that Aubameyang’s ‘composure was fantastic’ but slammed defender Eric Garcia for his lack of defensive awareness.
Ferdinand compared Aubameyang’s ability to run in behind the defence to that of the former Gunners legend Thierry Henry.
Ferdinand said: ‘It’s a great goal, the composure was fantastic – played on by Mendy. The young centre-half, Garcia, has got to see that – you’ve got to know who you’re playing against.
‘When there are players who are willing to run in behind you, you’ve got to try to cover that area, but once he’s in there, he reminds you a bit of Thierry [Henry] when he’s bearing down on goal like that.
‘He just opens himself up and places it through the keeper’s legs, fantastic finish.’
Van Persie agreed with Ferdinand, saying: ‘It was a great pass from Tierney. Aubameyang sees where the danger is and then he has the pace, as well as the control. He takes the extra touch just to find the space through the legs.’
‘What I really like as well is that just before he takes his shot, he takes a quick look. Nine out of ten strikers don’t do that.’
Persie went on to praise the strikers selfless quality, saying: ‘Even when he’s under pressure and the defender is coming in, he still has that look to see if someone else is more open to score the goal.
‘He’s looking to see if Lacazette is free – if he’s open to pass the ball to – and then in the split second he decides to take the shot because he’s in a better position.
‘Most strikers don’t really find the time to have that look.’
COMMENTS