Arsenal has been subjected to a blatant of injustices by referees in recent times. Our players are consistently punished for actions that are overlooked by others. The dismissal of Leandro Trossard against Manchester City is just the latest in a long line of ‘unfair’ decisions.
The referee’s body (PGMOL) that Trossard was dismissed for kicking the ball away. A few minutes earlier, Doku kicked the ball away but there was no booking. This is the same Michael Oliver that was the centerman when Dominic Szoboszlai didn’t get a second yellow for a similar offense the other week.
I wont dwell on the controversial Declan Rice red card against Brighton, neither will I go back to the Granit Xhaka one against this same opponent. Remember that Michael Oliver didn’t send off Mateo Kovacic last season for a clumsy tackle when he was on a yellow because he didn’t want to spoil the game at the Emirates. Why did he then decide to send Trossard out at Etihad, two minutes after the first half added extra time?
This isn’t merely about complaints; it’s a call for consistency. Last season, the FA apologized to Arsenal for two significant officiating errors in matches where they were leading or poised to win. How many points did Arsenal finish behind the title winners last season? Critics labeled Arsenal as “bottlers,” yet consistent officiating could have changed that narrative.
After Arsenal’s display in the second half at Etihad, everyone came out calling Arteta for playing ‘Haram football’. Why is it only Haram when it’s Arsenal but Fergie, Mourinho, and even Pep have been praised and called master in tactics?
Another point of contention is the second goal, scored by defender Gabriel which sparked a debate of ‘Dark Tactics’ during set pieces. Rival fans claim Arsenal players are blocking the goalkeeper yet similar tactics employed against Arsenal often receive praise. For instance, players held Aaron Ramsdale back during last season’s match against Aston Villa, leading to Douglas Luiz’s goal from a corner. The Villa players were celebrated, but when Arsenal adopted an effective strategy, they faced scrutiny and even FA reports.
Being an Arsenal fan, I have seen my team receive harsh officiating from other teams and it seems maybe we have two types of football rules; one for Arsenal and the other for the remaining clubs. Arsene Wenger was right when he said that if he found EPL referees in heaven, he would doubt if he is truly in heaven.
Just imagine the uproar if it was an Arsenal player who acted like Haaland did after the second goal? Considering the meltdown on the press from City players after the match, it’s evident that the Gunners have touched a nerve. We are not the same team anymore – We are something extraordinary. It’s good to recall that no top-six club has been able to beat Arsenal since the start of last season.
We don’t seek favoritism; we simply want consistency in officiating across the board. We don’t want apologies from the FA; their referees are causing us titles. They either style up or be replaced. Regardless, we are determined to triumph over anyone who comes our way, with or without the referee’s support. Tunacheza Kibingwa!
