Arsenal ground out a 1-0 victory over Brighton on Wednesday, as they leaned on the darks acts to move seven points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: TNT Sports Presenter Laura Woods speaks with Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on December 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Laura Woods has defended Mikel Arteta's tactics(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Laura Woods phoned in live on the radio to hit back at Alan Pardew's 'disrespectful' comments about Arsenal. The former Premier League boss had claimed during Arsenal's narrow 1-0 win away to Brighton that 'there'll be an asterisk' next to their name if they go on to win the title because of their style of play.
Mikel Arteta's side have been slated for their use of set pieces and gamesmanship. The criticism hit new heights after Wednesday's clash, as Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler fumed: "There was only one team who tried to play football."
Hurzeler also accused Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya of time-wasting, adding that he'll 'never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way' in a dig at Arteta, who gave an icy three-word reply. On commentary for talkSPORT, Pardew also took aim at the Gunners' performances.
The ex-Crystal Palace and Newcastle boss claimed: "There'll be an asterisk next to their name because you've only got to look at them really in these type of performances and say, it's just a functional display.
"It's a professional, functional display. They're good, they're strong, they're powerful. But there is nothing beautiful about them. That's the truth."
Arsenal fan Woods wasn't having it and phoned up talkSPORT later on Wednesday night. The TV presenter ranted about Pardew's comments and defended her team.
"Do you know what, Alan? I love you, but that is the most disrespectful thing I've ever heard," Woods began. "How can you say that? What, because we like to take free-kicks, set pieces and corners? I don't understand the thought process."
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Alan Pardew speaks on Sky Sports during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on November 06, 2020 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Newcastle United/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Alan Pardew says there's 'nothing beautiful' about Arsenal(Image: Newcastle United/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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She added: "It's mental... if Arsenal win the league, none of us fans, I don't care how they do it, I don't care if you lot don't enjoy watching us, why would we care if we're entertaining or not?
"I love it, I put my feet up and say whatever happens tonight, I'll be in a much better mood than (host) Jamie O'Hara, whatever happens!
"When we were playing lovely football, everyone was saying: 'They're playing lovely football but can't win a game'. And now we're winning games in different fashions, different ways, the games evolving and you lot are bored."