Jack Wilshere and Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel clashed on the touchline after Luton's controversial 2-1 win
Arsenal favourite Jack Wilshere was involved in a heated clash with Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel.
Arsenal favourite Jack Wilshere was involved in a heated clash with Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel.(Image: ITV Sport)
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Former Arsenal favourite Jack Wilshere was involved in a fiery exchange with Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel following Luton's ill-tempered victory over the Tykes on Tuesday night.
Luton picked up an important three points with a 2-1 win against Stendel's men, climbing to 13th place in League One. However, the victory arrived amid controversy, with Barnsley's Amani Richards picking up a booking for simulation late in the match after appealing for a penalty.
Wilshere and Stendel were involved in a heated exchange over the incident on the touchline, and tensions between the pair continued to simmer after the full-time whistle. The former Arsenal and England midfielder approached Stendel to shake hands, only to take immediate exception.
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In scenes bearing a striking resemblance to Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte's notorious handshake confrontation, Wilshere recoiled and shoved the Barnsley manager away before jabbing his finger in his direction.
The pair were swiftly pulled apart as coaching staff from both clubs intervened, with Luton goalkeeping coach Kevin Pilkington keeping a watchful eye on Stendel. The altercation soon drew in players from either side before eventually dying down.
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Speaking to the BBC about the fiery altercation, Wilshere said: "They want to win, we want to win. I have massive respect for them and what they're trying to do - I know they haven't got the results, but I can see what they're trying to do and they're a tough team to play because they've got some good players.
"We got the win in the end and it got a bit heated but we shake hands in the end and everyone moves on.
"Sometimes you see how together we are. We're all together. We're respectful but sometimes as well it shows everyone that we are together and a few players were in there as well. You want to be respectful but also to show togetherness."
Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere(Image: James Fearn/Getty Images)
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Stendel faces considerable scrutiny, with Barnsley sitting 22nd following a fifth consecutive defeat across all competitions, yet he too sought to play down the flashpoint. "It was a misunderstanding between me and Jack Wilshere," he said.
"But I tried to talk with him [after the game] and I think it's not a big thing."
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The Barnsley boss made three changes at the interval and was visibly angered by his players' display. "We cannot accept the performance like in the first half. We want to do so much," he said.
"The atmosphere before the game in the locker room was so positive, and after one minute, the first set piece, we considered again the goal. And it's not a reason that we have not trained. It's not a reason why Luton is so good in that.
"It was the desire to defend the headers in this situation. And the second goal was the same. It was really frustrating in the half-time and I was a little bit louder."