Michael Carrick says it “would be a different conversation” if Emile Smith Rowe’s opening goal for Arsenal against Manchester United on Thursday night had proved decisive.
The Gunners lost 3-2 at Old Trafford, but took the lead in bizarre fashion through Smith Rowe in the 13th minute.
A corner was swung in and goalkeeper David de Gea fell to the floor after United midfielder Fred accidentally stood on his foot.
The ball was cleared to the edge of the box and Smith Rowe volleyed home with De Gea lying stricken on the floor.
The goal was not originally awarded by referee Martin Atkinson, but VAR reviewed the incident and informed him to give it.
United’s players protested profusely at the time and Carrick, who was in charge for his final game as interim boss, suggested he would have had grievances if the goal had been decisive.
“If that was the winning goal, it would be a different conversation altogether,” he said.
“It means a lot less now but it was very strange. I’ve never seen a goal where the goalkeeper is down injured and the goal has gone in and been given.
“Maybe it was complicated but I don’t know. I was just glad we went on to win the game and it didn’t become an issue.”
Like Carrick, Arteta admitted he found the opening goal strange, saying afterwards: “I’ve never seen anything like that. But that is the decision from the referee and VAR checked it and it was a goal.”
