• Premier League

Rosicky not laughing after free-kick accusations

ESPN staff
October 17, 2011
Tomas Rosicky insists he cares too much for Arsenal Football Club to laugh about the concession of a goal © PA Photos
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Tomas Rosicky has labelled suggestions that he laughed at Arsenal's concession of an equaliser against Sunderland "unbelievable".

Arsenal came away with three important points from Sunday's encounter after a 2-1 win at Emirates Stadium. Robin van Persie was the Gunners' hero with a goal either side of Sebastian Larsson's leveller for Sunderland.

However, replays of Larsson's equaliser - which came direct from a free-kick, appear to show Rosicky smiling as the ball heads past Wojciech Szczesny's dive. The Czech midfielder, standing close to the wall, does not even look over his shoulder to see where the ball is heading, rendering himself utterly unaware had the ball rebounded back into play.

It is not the first time Rosicky's unusual mannerism has been seen this season, after he also failed to watch Wayne Rooney's free-kick enter the net at Old Trafford. In the Arsenal's man opinion, his reaction is only to acknowledge the fact that the set-piece is destined to end in a goal.

"That wasn't a laugh - it was a desperate laugh that such a screamer would be scored," Rosicky explained. "I don't have to turn around. When I see his (Larsson's) face and he is celebrating, why should I turn around?

"I have been here six years and anyone who thinks I would laugh at that... for people to take it that way is frankly unbelievable."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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