Joe Willock blasted for ‘assist’ in Standard Liege’s second goal despite Arsenal fightback

JOE WILLOCK was at the heart of Arsenal’s latest defensive horror show after his mistake cost the Gunners. Freddie Ljungberg’s struggling side travelled to Belgium with a rested squad knowing only a five-goal defeat would see them fail to qualify for the Europa League knockout stages. Things got off to a shaky start after Standard […]

JOE WILLOCK was at the heart of Arsenal’s latest defensive horror show after his mistake cost the Gunners.

Freddie Ljungberg’s struggling side travelled to Belgium with a rested squad knowing only a five-goal defeat would see them fail to qualify for the Europa League knockout stages.

Reuters

Things got off to a shaky start after Standard Liege opened the scoring through Samuel Bastien just after half-time.

Bastien’s effort took a huge deflection off Sokratis – a sign of things to come.

Smelling blood Liege pressed for a second and were handed a goal through Arsenal midfielder Willock.

The 20-year-old failed to deal with a cross and almost laid it off to for Selim Amallah to strike.

Amallah’s effort took a ricocheted off David Luiz and past replacement Emiliano Martinez’s outstretched arms.

Fans online were in shock with Willock’s hopeless defending – blasting the midfielder for assisting his opposition with the goal.

One said: “Does Willock get an assist for that Standard goal?”

Another said: “Great assist Willock. 2-0 now.”

One added: “Good assist willock.”

Things quickly turned around for the Gunners as stand-in striker Alexandre Lacazette pulled one back with a header on 78 minutes.

It set Arsenal off as wideman Bukayo Saka curled in an equaliser three minutes later.

Elsewhere Vitoria stunned Frankfurt with a 3-2 away win meaning the Gunners top the group – with the German’s finishing second.

Reuters