Here’s a bold statement: even in a 3-0 defeat, Slavia Prague found something to complain about—and it’s not just about the score. But here’s where it gets controversial... After their Champions League loss to Arsenal on Tuesday, Slavia’s captain, Lukas Provod, accused the Gunners of time-wasting, claiming they were allowed to run down the clock in the second half. ‘Arsenal prepare for set-pieces for a long time, we knew that,’ Provod said, adding, ‘When they were leading, they didn’t rush anywhere, the referee didn’t rush them. I guess that’s a compliment for us too.’ So, is this a tactical masterstroke by Arsenal or unsportsmanlike behavior? Let’s dive in.
Arsenal’s victory, their fourth in as many Champions League games, was sealed by Bukayo Saka’s penalty and a brace from Mikel Merino in the second half. The win also marked their eighth consecutive clean sheet, matching a club record set way back in 1903. Impressive, right? And this is the part most people miss... Despite the lopsided score, Provod wasn’t shy about voicing his frustrations, particularly with Azerbaijani referee Aliyar Aghayev’s decision to award a penalty after Gabriel Magalhaes’ flick hit his hand. ‘I was 100% focused on defending him,’ Provod explained. ‘The ball went from his head to my head and then into my hand. I prayed that VAR wouldn’t rule it out, but unfortunately, it was a penalty.’ Slavia’s head coach, Jindrich Trpisovsky, echoed the sentiment, questioning whether the hand was above the shoulder—a detail that could change everything. But here’s the kicker: even with these complaints, Provod couldn’t help but praise Arsenal. ‘They are one of the best, if not the best team in the world,’ he admitted, highlighting their quality and ability to decide games in the Premier League. ‘We didn’t deal with it badly, the result is cruel for us,’ he added, suggesting Slavia’s performance deserved better.
Now, here’s the controversial question: Is time-wasting a legitimate tactic, or does it undermine the spirit of the game? And should referees intervene more strictly to keep the flow of play? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more insights like this, don’t forget to check out our sport page and follow Metro Sport on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Want personalized updates on your favorite team? Sign up for our Football Newsletter—it’s your weekly guide to all things football, from exclusive analysis to FPL tips. It’s an open goal you won’t want to miss!
