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26

2019 Xhaha Controversy Boils ‘Two Most

30th, Powerful Teams’ In
Rugby Contesting
October After Arsenal Give Up Lead The Final Says

| Against Palace England Mitchell coach John
EXAMINER Mitchell has billed Saturday’s World
assistant
Cup final between his side and South
Africa as a collision of the sport’s two
IRISH most powerful teams. Yokohama
Eddie Jones’s men stormed into the
International
Stadium
showpiece by steamrolling reigning
champions New Zealand 19-7 and
now occupy first place in the global
rankings.
South Africa edged past Wales with
a dominant performance from their
giant pack, who have bulldozed a path
through Japan with muscular inside
center Damian de Allende remaining a
constant threat.
“What we are going to witness are
the two most powerful rugby teams in
the world,” defense coach John
Mitchell said.
“South Africa are strong and well-
coached and the gain line is going to
be huge. They play in a particular
way, but you must always be prepared
for anything that comes at you.
“They have a very clever scrum
half in Faf de Klerk, who is sharp. And
Jordan Ayew’s far post header pulls Crystal Palace back on level terms against Arsenal fly-half Handre Pollard is in really,
really good form.
aptain Granit Xhaka time to leave the pitch despite the although Leno had to be on guard to “They have second-rowers who
appeared to swear at Arsenal score being level. push away a Patrick Van Aarnholt love winning the gain line. They have
Csupporters after he was sub- He reacted by waving his arms, shot on the stroke of half-time. their own armory. It’s exciting.
stituted during their Premier cupping his ears and seemingly Palace were also the quicker out of “Against New Zealand we dealt
League draw against Crystal Palace mouthing “F*** off” twice as he the blocks in the second half and with a lot of speed, a lot of footwork,
as they allowed a two-goal lead to pushed away a handshake from were level when Ayew was picked but South Africa are certainly going to
slip. Emery, took off his shirt and headed out at the back post by James be a team that is more direct.
The incident and result will see straight down the tunnel. McArthur’s cross and made no mis- “Pressure is definitely coming to
pressure grow on both Xhaka and The day had started so well for take in heading past Leno. come at us and that asks questions of
head coach Unai Emery, who has under-fire Emery as Wayne With Arsenal supporters growing your fundamentals.
backed the 27-year-old amid fierce Hennessey came off his line but got increasingly frustrated after seeing “It will come down to the core
fan criticism. nowhere near Nicolas Pepe’s corner – their side pegged back, the flashpoint basics that are really important to us –
Early goals from defensive pairing with Gary Cahill unable to clear the of the game came as Emery opted to supporting your mate on the floor and
Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David box with a header as Xhaka nodded substitute his captain for the second in the carry.
Luiz inside 106 seconds proved insuf- down for Sokratis to fire home. Premier League game in a row. “Both teams enjoy dominating the
ficient to earn three points as Palace It got even better for the hosts as Xhaka began ambling off the pitch gain like and kicking and are effective
fought back to draw 2-2. they doubled their lead from another and, with the home fans furious he in that area.
The video assistant referee over- Pepe corner less than two minutes was not rushing off to be replaced by “But we also feel we are very adapt-
turned a decision to book Wilfried later, Alexandre Lacazette flicking on Bukayo Saka, he reacted furiously. able too – we don’t just play one way
Zaha for diving and instead gave the for Luiz to poke home from point- On the field, the change seemed to so that’s one of strengths.”
visitors a penalty, which was dis- blank range. pay dividends in terms of turning the New Zealand were overwhelmed
patched by Luka Milivojevic, before Despite their early dominance, tide in favor of Arsenal, Lacazette in possibly the greatest performance
Jordan Ayew’s fourth goal in eight Arsenal let Palace back into the game forcing a save from Hennessey as in English rugby history but Mitchell
games secured a share of the spoils. as VAR overturned referee Martin they pushed for the lead. insists there is another level to be
There was further VAR drama late Atkinson’s decision to book Zaha for They thought they had snatched a reached.
on as Sokratis was denied a late win- diving, instead awarding Roy win as Sokratis rifled home after a “We are really excited by the week.
ner. Hodgson’s men a penalty for a foul Pepe corner had not been cleared In reality, all we have done is present
The result – and another poor per- by Calum Chambers. but, after a lengthy VAR check, the ourselves with another opportunity at
formance from Arsenal – will be for- Palace captain Milivojevic stepped goal was chalked off for a foul by the right end of the tournament,”
gotten long before the incident with up to calmly send Bernd Leno the Chambers moments earlier. Mitchell said.
Xhaka as the Swiss midfielder plod- wrong way and half the arrears just Hennessey made a good late save “We want to get better and we feel
ded off in the 61st minute. after the half-hour mark. to keep out Luiz’s shot while Zaha
A decisive figure among fans, the A lull in proceedings followed, went close at the other end as Palace we can get better as well. Everyone is
fact he was being withdrawn was ini- with Pepe bending a strike just wide finished the game well, although the really calm and eager to get onto their
tially greeted by large cheers, which as Arsenal looked to regain their two- fall-out for Emery and Xhaka will no work. We just got to go and earn it
soon turned to jeers as he took his goal advantage before the interval – doubt be of wider interest. C now.”C