Bernd Leno revealed Jesse Lingard’s goal celebration in Arsenal’s recent FA Cup defeat by Manchester United acted as motivation as the Gunners secured victory in Sunday’s Premier League clash between the top-four rivals.
A Granit Xhaka strike and a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty saw Arsenal win 2-0 and end Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s unbeaten domestic streak since taking caretaker charge at Old Trafford in December.
Arsenal leapfrog United into fourth place as a result as the chase for Champions League qualification took more twists with both Tottenham and Chelsea dropping points over the course of the weekend.
Lingard celebrated a goal in United’s 3-1 FA Cup
The England international had previously scored twice in the league clash in north London last season and irked Arsenal fans by posting his recent celebration on Instagram with the location set as ‘dancefloor’.
Mesut Ozil appeared to reference Lingard in a post-match tweet on Sunday evening which read: ‘Dancefloor huh?! Superb performance! Brilliant result! Thank you Emirates Stadium! Proud to be a Gunner!’
Lingard missed the game as he nurses a hamstring injury but Leno, who enjoyed another fine afternoon in goal for Arsenal, admitted the forward’s previous antics had spurred on the hosts.
‘I don’t know but in your mind you will never forget something like that, when somebody is celebrating,’ he said when asked if the win was revenge for the FA Cup loss and Lingard’s dance.
‘You don’t want to see it again so we were motivated and we knew before the game about our chance because Man United had one point than us.