Krul laughs off Van Persie strop

Tim Krul has moved to play down an argument with Robin Van Persie which flared up during Newcastle United’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal.

The pair appeared to exchange heated words throughout the English Premier League match on Monday, before becoming involved in a furious row following Thomas Vermaelen’s late winner for the hosts.

Players from both sides had to drag the two apart before they were both cautioned by referee Howard Webb.

Newcastle goalkeeper Krul said he was disappointed with the row and believes the Netherlands international team-mates simply got carried away in the heat of the moment.

“I was disappointed with the incident involving Robin,” Krul told reporters.

“We are both professional sportsmen, and what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.”

“We are playing in arguably the best and toughest league in the world, and things like this happen.”

“There is only one thing on my mind during a game, and that is to win.”

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew also moved to dismiss the significance of the row, defending both parties’ involvement in the altercation.

“It’s just unfortunate,” Pardew told The Shields Gazette.

“There were words between them at the start about this and that.”

“It was a last-minute goal. It happens. If we’d scored in the last minute, I’m sure one or two of them would have been upset with us.”