Micah Richards has defended Arsenal’s application to the Premier League to have the North London derby postponed on Sunday.
The Gunners cited Covid-19, injuries, suspensions and AFCON duty as a cause for postponement and the Premier League approved their request.
Spurs have now had four of their matches postponed from the start of December.
Several pundits, including the likes of Gary Neville, have criticised the decision, accusing the Gunners of wanting to have the game called off because they were unable to field their best team.
With just two of Arsenal’s first-team players testing positive for the virus, many have suggested that the Gunners should have fielded a team for the derby on Sunday.
Richards has now leapt to the defence of Mikel Arteta’s side, questioning why people did not get riled up when other clubs had matches called off in recent weeks.
The former Manchester City defender also insisted that all clubs would have done the same if they were in Arsenal’s position.
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The pundit told Sky Sports: “I just feel like when it’s Arsenal, everyone wants to lump in for some reason. Arsenal have been in great form and by the rules they’ve done nothing wrong.
“Like the lads have said here, the clarity, and they’re playing by what they perceive as not enough first-team players. So I understand other people being frustrated. But in my opinion, they’ve done nothing wrong.
“And let’s be honest, other clubs would do the same thing as well. This is not an Arsenal thing.
“People say the way they’ve handled it, they could have been better. Yes, of course, I think in terms of the integrity of the game. But if you know that you’ve not got senior players fit.
“Every team in the Premier League would look after themselves and if they say they wouldn’t then they’re lying.”
Spurs Web Opinion
As I saw it, most journalist and pundits levelled their criticism at the Premier League for their arbitrary rules rather than Arsenal.
All cubs will naturally look to take advantage of the rules if they could but the Premier League needed to be stronger.
They have now set a terrible precedent and now have little choice but to heed similar requests from other clubs over the coming months.
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