Martinez slams ‘stupid’ Oxlade-Chamberlain challenge

Phil Jagielka: Injured at The Emirates

Phil Jagielka: Injured at The Emirates

Roberto Martinez has slammed the “stupid challenge” from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain which left Everton skipper Phil Jagielka on crutches.

The England centre-back was caught by a late tackle from Oxlade-Chamberlain after referee Lee Mason had already blown for a free-kick for a foul on Brendan Galloway.

Jagielka left the stadium on crutches and will undergo a scan on a knee injury after hobbling off eight minutes into the second half of Everton’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday evening.

“It’ll take probably 48 hours to find out about Phil, but it’s not good, clearly,” said Martinez.

“Jagielka never leaves the playing field. It’s a problem in his right knee.

“We don’t know at this point what extent the injury is. Some of the structure is going to be damaged, but we don’t know what it is yet.

“To lose Jagielka in such a stupid challenge is disappointing, because the referee has already awarded the free-kick.

“It was an unnecessary challenge. Needless. Oxlade-Chamberlain puts his foot up when the referee has already given the free-kick.

“It’s an unfortunate action. It’s not malicious or with any intent.

“If you have a player who lunges his body to try and stop a ball going over the goalline and that ends up with an injury, then you take it.

“But this is frustrating.”

Gareth Barry was sent off late on at The Emirates for a second bookable offence and will miss the Capital One Cup fourth-round clash at home to Norwich City on Tuesday evening, but Martinez admitted he was going to rest the midfielder anyway.