Under Mikel Arteta’s tenure at Arsenal, there have been several instances where decisions by referees or VAR have been points of contention for the club, its supporters, and the manager himself. Here’s an overview about how Arsenal have been wronged:
Every time a referee wronged Arsenal in the EPL under Arteta:
Newcastle vs. Arsenal (2023-2024 Season):
Mikel Arteta was charged by the FA for comments made after a defeat where he criticized the decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s goal for Newcastle to stand, which involved multiple controversial VAR checks. However, he was cleared of this charge, indicating that his comments were seen more as frustration with VAR processes rather than personal insults towards the officials.
Leandro Trossard’s Red Card (2024):
During Arsenal’s match against Manchester City, Leandro Trossard received a red card for kicking the ball away after already being booked. Arteta was furious, pointing out inconsistencies with earlier decisions in the game where similar actions by opposition players went unpunished.
Declan Rice’s Red Card (2024):
Earlier in the season, Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton for a second yellow, which involved kicking the ball away, an action that Arteta and Arsenal felt was inconsistently applied compared to other incidents in matches.
General Sentiments and Incidents:
Arteta has repeatedly expressed concerns over refereeing decisions, suggesting there might be a pattern against Arsenal. This includes instances like Mateo Kovacic not receiving a red card against Arsenal at the Emirates when similar challenges have been punished elsewhere.
Public and Managerial Reaction:
There’s been a noted solidarity among Premier League managers following Arteta’s public critique of refereeing. This indicates a broader dissatisfaction with refereeing standards, particularly the implementation of VAR, which might not directly relate to specific games but reflects an ongoing dialogue about refereeing consistency.
Specific Matches and Controversies:
In various matches, fans and analysts on platforms like X have pointed out perceived injustices, like fouls not given, bookings seen as harsh, or lack of action on opponents for similar infractions. For instance, incidents involving players like Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and others where physical contact in the box wasn’t penalized or was inconsistently called.
These instances highlight a recurring theme under Arteta’s management where Arsenal feels they have been on the wrong end of refereeing decisions. These controversies often involve VAR, inconsistencies in applying rules, or perceived biases:
VAR Decisions:
The use of VAR has been particularly contentious, with Arteta and Arsenal questioning the consistency and correctness of VAR interventions.
Consistency in Refereeing:
There’s a strong narrative around the lack of consistency in how fouls, bookings, and game-deciding moments are managed across different matches.
Public Perception and Management Critique:
Arteta’s vocal criticism has often been echoed by fans and observers, suggesting a broader issue with how Arsenal games are officiated, though this perception might be biased due to the nature of fan and managerial commentary.
This reflects the sentiment and incidents reported but remember, football decisions can be subjective, and while these events have been points of contention, they also represent one side of the narrative, often amplified by the fanbase and manager’s perspective.
