Arsenal interim boss Freddie Ljungberg blamed Sead Kolasinac for Manchester City’s third goal in the Gunners’ 3-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men.
De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling gave City a two-goal advantage after just 15 minutes at the Emirates but Arsenal were reduced to 10-men when Kolasinac went down with an ankle injury shortly before half-time.
The Bosnian was unable to continue and made his way off the field. However, the timing of his injury just before the half-time whistle meant Arsenal had not prepared a replacement.
Bukayo Saka eventually stripped down to his kit but the ball was already back in play, meaning he was unable to enter the action. City took full advantage of their numerical advantage with De Bruyne punishing Arsenal by scoring an all-important third goal.
Saka was criticised for not being ready but Ljungberg says the cold weather meant he had a number of clothing items to take off. Instead, the Swede says Kolasinac should have stayed down longer in order to give his side more time to make a change.
‘Sead went down and our player tried to get ready,’ said Ljungberg.
‘With the weather, he had a lot of clothes on. That’s something we need to learn, [ok] get ready quicker but to stay down when you are injured so players can get ready.’
The Swede was questioned further on the issue later on his press conference when it was put to him that the situation summed up the lack of organisation at the club.
However, Ljungberg rejected the claim and repeated his belief that Kolasinac should have done more to help Saka.
‘I think that’s a bit harsh. A player can’t get ready quicker. Of course you can say he shouldn’t have so many clothes on but we were in the first half when he probably didn’t think there would be a substitution.
‘In my opinion we need to stay down.’
MORE: Ben Stokes wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year after World Cup and Headingley heroics
