'Oh my goodness' - Jeff Stelling left baffled by 'bizarre' incident in Burnley clash vs Arsenal

Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling has claimed that he has “never seen anything like” Burnley’s bizarre equaliser against Arsenal at Turf Moor on Saturday lunchtime.
Granit Xhaka of Arsenal looks dejected after making an error leading to a Burnley goal. (Photo by Jon Super - Pool/Getty Images)Granit Xhaka of Arsenal looks dejected after making an error leading to a Burnley goal. (Photo by Jon Super - Pool/Getty Images)
Granit Xhaka of Arsenal looks dejected after making an error leading to a Burnley goal. (Photo by Jon Super - Pool/Getty Images)

The Clarets fell behind early on to an effort from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but drew level shortly before the interval when Granit Xhaka cannoned an attempted clearance off the stomach of Chris Wood from close range and into the Gunners’ net.

The Swiss midfielder also had a miserable time when the two sides last met, receiving a red card as Sean Dyche’s men edged a 1-0 win at the Emirates back in December.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Reacting to Xhaka’s howler live on Sky Sports News’ Soccer Saturday, Stelling said: “It did happen!

"Oh my goodness, oh my… Granit Xhaka. Oh my goodness!”

Pundit Sue Smith, who was watching the match, said: "Oh my goodness. I can’t believe it. This is just unbelievable.

"Chris Wood scored the goal, an equaliser, but I don’t know how much he knows about.

"Leno plays the ball out to Xhaka. Xhaka, I don’t even know who he’s looking for – I think he’s looking for David Luiz who’s just on the other side of Chris Wood.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He hits it straight at Chris Wood, hits him on the stomach and it goes in. He doesn’t know anything about it.

"Burnley have equalised in the most bizarre of fashions.”

Stelling then reiterated his disbelief at the chaotic series of events, adding: "Chris Wood has never scored against Arsenal before, and I'll tell you what, he will never ever score a goal again against Arsenal, or anyone else, quite like that one.

"I’ve never seen anything like that in Premier League football before.

"And Granit Xhaka, who was sent off at the Emirates in the home game against Burnley is having another nightmare.

"Mikel Arteta, his face at the moment is thunderous.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This is the second time in two meetings that Xhaka has gifted Burnley an unexpected advantage against Arsenal.

Burnley's winner back in December came in the aftermath of the midfielder being dismissed for violent conduct shortly before the hour mark after grabbing the throat of Clarets midfielder Ashley Westwood.