Ian Wright hammers Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos for moment against Southampton

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Ian Wright has told Optus Sport’s Kelly And Wright Show that Dani Ceballos ‘annoyed’ him during Arsena’s draw with Southampton on Wednesday night – as the Spanish midfielder looked to win a penalty against the Saints.

An in-form Southampton nicked a point and could have had more against a struggling Arsenal at The Emirates – who were reduced to 10 men once again with Gabriel being sent off for two yellow cards. It was the seventh red of Arteta’s tenure.

Theo Walcott returned to the Emirates for the first time in a Southampton shirt and scored a delightful chip, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broke his duck with a neat finish. Ceballos tried to win a penalty during the match after going through.

The Real Madrid loanee turned Southampton defender Jan Bednarek 10 yards out, but then inexplicably went down under the smallest of contact – which was generated by the Spaniard. Wright has hammered the Arsenal man.

“What was annoying for me in that game was that Ceballos goes through,” Wright said. “I don’t know if there was a clip, but he’d rather go down to get a penalty than try and win the game for Arsenal. It is the character in the players.”

TBR’s view – Lack of confidence the reason for Ceballos going down?

Arsenal’s lack of form is evident in the form of their players. Indeed, Aubameyang’s face when he scored was not one of joy or celebrating – but one of utter relief. But the Gunners still lack a Premier League since beating Manchester United.

Had Arsenal been winning matches and Ceballos playing well, surely had he got in a similar position, he would have struck the ball into the back of the net – rather than going down and trying to win a penalty.