Graeme Souness singles out "cheating" Arsenal star and demands VAR deals with his antics

Ben White was spotted attempting to undo Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario's gloves during the North London derby last Sunday, not to the amusement of Greame Souness

Liverpool legend Greame Souness has accused Arsenal of "cheating" at set pieces and slammed Ben White for his role in obstructing goalkeepers.

Arsenal defender White found himself in the spotlight after their dramatic 3-2 victory in last Sunday's North London derby, as replays showed right-back attempting to undo Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario's gloves during the build-up to the Gunners' first goal and their third. White, 26, continually got in Vicario's way at corners and has done the same with other 'keepers this season.

The Gunners have now scored 16 Premier League goals from set pieces, the most since West Brom in 2016-17. Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has been lauded for his impact since joining from Manchester City in 2021, but Souness isn't having it and believes that Arsenal should start being punished for their dark arts.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, the ex-Liverpool captain and manager began: "I've heard a lot of talk about the 'genius' of Arsenal's so-called set-piece 'guru' and the incredible work he's played in the team's push for the title.

"Well, forgive me for bursting the bubble here, but amid all the excitement about the goals Tottenham conceded from corners last week, something very significant was somehow missed. Two of those goals should not have counted.

"We are witnessing a stealthy, very deliberate, strategy from Arsenal - and Ben White in particular - to obstruct goalkeepers in a way which will avoid detection by the referees."

Souness then went on to say: "Might I suggest the referees consult their own little FA rule books for a definition of that term? Law 12 states, in black and white, that obstruction is 'moving into the opponent's path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player.'

"'Set-piece genius'? Call me old-fashioned but what we're seeing here is cheating. This blocking by players from set-pieces is more prevalent than ever before, which presents a challenge for referees. But Arsenal do this every game and it's always by White, so the penny should have dropped long ago.

"Arsenal have been using this pattern of offending ever since the set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, joined Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. That was two seasons ago. Don't even get me started on the fact that we also have the VAR officials, sitting in their warm booth, equipped with the camera capacity that ought to be pulling Arsenal up on this every time."

Your turn! Should Arsenal be punished for their behaviour at set pieces? Join the debate in the comments section

Image: Supersport) Supersport)

His comments came after Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou admitted that he 'didn't care' about White's antics, but wouldn't encourage his players to replicate them. "It's a strategy. You can label it but it's a strategy," Postecoglou told a press conference.

"I'm not casting judgment. If people are going to think that's going to give them an ­advantage or whatever … I don't worry about that stuff. I just try to focus on building teams that win things. If it's not going to be that then it's going to be something else.

"I know it's great theatre. Whether he [White] is trying to undo his glove, tickle his armpit or whatever… I don't care. I try to get my players not to focus on that stuff.

"If you want to go down that ­avenue … what's he [Vicario] ­supposed to do? Throw a punch and knock him out? Or say, 'Please don't touch me?' What does that do? ­Seriously, we're not in the schoolyard. To be honest, if I saw one of my players do it, I'd be saying: 'Mate, seriously? Get the ball and play some football'."

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