Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has had his say on his unusual winning goal in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.

A fortunate ending, but important win

The Frenchman’s far post volley in the last minute of added time was one of the more controversial moments in the Premier League last weekend, as the ball inadvertently hit the defender's hand before crossing the line after he had just beaten midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to the ball.  

During a joint interview with the club after the game, Koscielny said he didn’t know if it was a handball as he was only focused on "smashing the ball with his foot, so he couldn’t see where the ball was going."

Koscielny's goal secured a win for manager Arsene Wenger the day after his 20th anniversary at Arsenal. Photo: Getty Images: Stuart MacFarlane
Koscielny's goal secured a win for manager Arsene Wenger the day after his 20th anniversary at Arsenal. Photo: Getty Images: Stuart MacFarlane

Oxlade-Chamberlain said he thought "the ball hit both of us at some point", but that the important thing was the team got the win and it could be "one of the biggest wins we’ll have this season."

Koscielny echoed the Englishman’s view, believing that it was "very important to keep our run", after back to back victories over Chelsea and Basel.

Improvements needed

On the game as a whole, despite being pleased with the victory, the centre back felt the speed of his side's movement and passing were "a bit less" compared to previous performances, and that they need to push themselves more and more. 

After North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur picked up all three points over top of the table Manchester City in one of Sunday’s 2:15 kick-offs, Oxlade Chamberlain said that result "brings us all closer together", and that Arsenal’s result against Burnley was important, and now they need to "push on after the international break."

After the international’s the gunners return home to the Emirates to face Swansea, the first of four home games in a row, with Ludogorets in the Champions League, Middlesbrough in the League again before the visit of Reading in the EFL Cup.

VAVEL Logo
About the author