TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has claimed that Marc Cucurella certainly made sure the game was stopped in order for VAR to take a closer look at Chelsea’s penalty claims against Arsenal.
He claimed on YouTube that the 25-year-old absolutely crunched winger Bukayo Saka in order for play to stop, potentially knowing he would get away with doing so.
Cucurella overall enjoyed a positive evening up against the England star, even if his cross was tucked away by Leandro Trossard at the back post to make it 2-2.
For the majority of the evening, the Spaniard dominated the battle down that side, with Arsenal fans surely imagining that to be an area where they could have exposed their opponents.
What Cucurella did to Saka
That wasn’t to be however, as the Blues were the better side on the evening and raced into the lead off the back of Cole Palmer’s second penalty for the club.
The spot kick was not originally given by the referee on the day, despite large complaints from Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez who were in close proximity to the handball.
Crook has claimed that to get the official to the monitor, Cucurella put in a strong challenge on Saka to get the game stuff.
He said: “In the aftermath of the penalty that wasn’t given and eventually was given by VAR, Cucurella went steaming into a tackle with Saka during that phase of play I think knowing the play was going to be stopped and brought back for a penalty, knowing he wasn’t going to get punished so he left one on Saka.”
It remains to be seen whether Mauricio Pochettino continues with Cucurella on the left of defence, with him back in his strongest position as Levi Colwill transitioned back to centre-back.
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