Laura Woods rang right into a live talkSPORT show to blast the ‘most disrespectful comments I actually have ever heard’ aimed toward Arsenal following their victory over Brighton.
The Gunners took a commanding step towards the Premier League title on Wednesday night because of a 1-0 win on the AMEX Stadium – with Manchester City crucially dropping points at home to Nottingham Forest on the identical night.
It wasn’t pretty – Arsenal managed just two shots on course all night, one in every of them scored by Bukayo Saka, with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler blasting Mikel Arteta’s side for time-wasting, describing their approach as ‘nothing football.’
Former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew was a part of talkSPORT’s commentary team at Brighton. So unimpressed with Arsenal’s tactics, he suggested that if Arsenal to go onto win the title, they may have an asterisk next to their name.
‘And in the mean time, it looks like Arsenal are going to see it through,’ Pardew said. ‘There’ll be an asterisk next to their name since you’ve only got to have a look at them really in these style of performances and say, it’s only a functional display.
‘It’s an expert, functional display. They’re good, they’re strong, they’re powerful. But there’s nothing beautiful about them. That’s the reality.’
Woods was on duty for TNT Sports’ live coverage of Arsenal’s win but later within the night, called into the talkSPORT studios during The Sports Bar with Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy.
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After the pair confirmed it was indeed Pardew who had aimed that dig at Arsenal, Woods let rip.
‘Truthfully – Alan, I like you, but that’s essentially the most disrespectful thing I’ve ever heard,’ she said.
‘How will you say that? What, because we wish to take free-kicks, set pieces and corners? I don’t understand the thought process.’
Woods continued: ‘That’s mental… if Arsenal win the league, none of us fans, I don’t care if it’s boring I don’t care in case you lot don’t enjoy watching us, why would we care if we’re entertaining or not?
‘I like it, I put my feet up and say whatever happens tonight, I’ll be in a significantly better mood than Jamie O’Hara, whatever happens.
‘After we were playing entertaining football, everyone was saying: “They’re playing lovely football but can’t win a game”.
‘And now we’re winning games in several fashions, alternative ways, the games evolving and also you lot are bored.’
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