Pochettino won't criticise Boruc after Saints keeper's costly blunder

Pochettino won't criticise Boruc after Saints keeper's costly blunder

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino refused to publicly criticise goalkeeper Artur Boruc after the Pole gifted Olivier Giroud the first of two goals as Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners at the Emirates Stadium.  
Boruc was embarrassingly caught in possession in his own penalty area after attempting a Cruyff turn, allowing Giroud to tap the ball into an empty net and hand Arsenal the lead after twenty-two minutes. 
The Saints' boss, however, maintains that his whole squad are still behind their goalkeeper, rejecting any suggestion that Boruc must apologise to his team-mates.

Gifted: Artur Boruc (right) dithered on the ball to allow Olivier Giroud the opportunity to score

'It's clear that we were unlucky in the way that we conceded that goal,' Pochettino said, 'There is nothing more to analyse. It happened. We just have to move on. I fully support all my players.
'Football players don't really need to apologise to their own team-mates. Footballers can have amazing performances or a bad day, as he had today. The main thing is that they all support each other. We just need to move forwards and keep working.' 
Arsenal's victory was sealed with a second Giroud strike, this time from the penalty spot, after Jose Fonte was adjudged to have pulled the shirt of Per Mertesacker as a corner came in from the right-hand side, and Pochettino had no complaints about Mark Clattenberg's decision. 
The Argentine added: 'I am not sure. It was really hard to see what happened. We have to accept the referee's decision and that's it.'
Southampton remain in the top four after falling to a first Premier League defeat since August, bringing an end to an eight match unbeaten run.

Remorseful: Boruc cut a frustrated figure after the costly blunder

Get rid of it! Boruc tried to shake the challenge of the Arsenal striker before handing over possession

The 2-0 victory takes Arsenal four points clear of Liverpool at the top of the league, after the Merseyside club were held to a 3-3 draw at Everton on Saturday lunchtime and manager Arsene Wenger was delighted to see his team bounce back in winning fashion after falling to defeat at Manchester United in their last outing before the international break. 
'Yes, that was vital', the Arsenal boss explained, 'I'm convinced that after a defeat, the character is tested. Can you win after a big defeat like that? That was really at stake for us today.' 
He also reserved special praise for two goal striker Giroud, who moved into double figures after netting his ninth and tenth goals of the season.

Moving on: Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino is already looking forward to Southampton's next game

Wenger said: 'For Olivier, it is important. Strikers will tell you "No, no I'm not obsessed with goals" but if they don't score, they are sick.
'It is a relief for him, I don't think that expected to score so many at the start of the season. That will only boost his confidence.'

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