Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a ‘criminal’ error that cost his side massively in their clash with Arsenal.
City had just gone 1-0 up in their potential title-deciding clash at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, putting pressure on the Gunners in what was a must-not-lose match for the Premier League leaders.
But a matter of seconds later – 108 to be exact – Donnarumma took too long on the ball and was closed down by Kai Havertz, who eventually intercepted the ball and scored to level things up again.
Donnarumma’s team-mates rushed to console him, but former City defender Micah Richards pulled no punches with his analysis at half-time.
He said on Sky Sports: ‘This is absolutely criminal. To go back to your goalkeeper after going 1-0 up. Just go long. That’s all you need to do. Regroup. Set up again.
‘For Donnarumma, with the experience of winning the Champions League with PSG, people were talking about him not being great on the ball. That’s what people were talking about.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (left) came under criticism after his error in Arsenal’s goal against Manchester City
The goalkeeper was trying to play out from the back and came under pressure from Kai Havertz, who scored
Former City defender Micah Richards branded it ‘criminal’ that City conceded straightaway
‘If you are not sure, get rid.’
Though it’s almost certain that instructions to play out from the back will have come from manager Pep Guardiola, there’s little doubt that criticism would be fired Donnarumma’s way after his error.
It’s widely agreed that the Italian is not as comfortable playing out as back-up James Trafford and his predecessor Ederson, but that is not something that bothered Guardiola when he was questioned about it earlier this season.
‘Donnarumma is really, really good in the tempo for the short passes,’ he said. ‘He doesn’t have the long pass like Ederson, but no other keeper has that pass like Ederson.
‘Gigio is really good with the composure, the first control, taking decisions to go short. He’s much, much better than the people think.’
Donnarumma would recover to make a vital save from Havertz in the second period.
