Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi has hit back at claims from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that he wasted time in the recent clash between the teams.
The Latics pulled off a surprise 2-1 win over the Gunners at the Emirates on Monday night, and the French coach had channelled his anger towards the visiting stopper.
However, Al Habsi has claimed that he is not a cheat and backed his professionalism.
“When I play football I do not cheat. I used a tactic to control and contain the game,” he told The Sun.
“It’s normal when you play in big-pressure matches to control the game to take the pressure off your team.
“It’s very important for me as a goalkeeper and my team-mates in defence to do this in order to help our side.
“The ref is there to see everything and if he’s happy then so am I. I have to do it for my team,” he concluded.
By Gareth McKnight
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