Arteta Reacts to Arsenal Wall Blunder That Allowed Bruno Fernandes to Score in Manchester United Draw

🕓 Last updated on September 17, 2025

Arteta reacts to Arsenal wall blunder that let Bruno Fernandes score. The manager praises Fernandes and reflects on the 1–1 draw at Old Trafford.

Arteta reacts to Arsenal wall blunder after Bruno Fernandes exploited a defensive error to score from a direct free-kick in Manchester United’s 1–1 draw with Arsenal.

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Bruno Fernandes gave Manchester United the lead with a brilliant free-kick just before halftime. Arsenal positioned their defensive wall 11.2 yards from the ball—more than the regulation 10—creating space for Fernandes to curl his shot past David Raya.

Instead of blaming his players or the referee, Mikel Arteta praised Fernandes for his quick thinking. “If he has capitalised on that, he is more clever than us and the referee,” Arteta said. “Football is for clever people.”

Arsenal Responds Through Declan Rice

Arsenal dominated possession in the first half but failed to create clear chances. After the break, the Gunners showed resilience. Declan Rice equalized in the 74th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, salvaging a point at Old Trafford.

Fans and pundits questioned whether referee Anthony Taylor should have corrected the wall’s distance. Despite the controversy, Arteta chose not to dwell on officiating errors and instead acknowledged Fernandes’ awareness and execution.

Arteta’s Response Highlights Accountability

Arteta’s reaction to the wall blunder reflected his refusal to make excuses. He focused on learning from the incident and praised Fernandes for exploiting the opportunity. His comments underscored the importance of attention to detail and football intelligence at the highest level.

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