Arsenal has completely turned their season around from where they were sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table at the start of the season. They have improved their performances massively and look certain of booking a spot in the top four to play in the UEFA Champions League next season.
However, today was another setback in their run as they lost to Manchester City by virtue of a late winner from Rodri. The scoreline was 2-1 in the end, but the Arsenal fans were enraged as they didn’t believe that they deserved to lose this game.
Albert Stuivenberg reacts to #ARSMCI 👇
▪️ Communicating with Mikel
▪️ Our spirited performance
▪️ Gabriel's red card— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 1, 2022
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Arsenal fans react to the game and call it a robbery
Arsenal fans were almost unanimously blaming the referee Stuart Attwell for the loss and they did have reason to do so. Attwell sent off Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes for two yellow cards. Not only that, but the North London club also had a penalty which was not given. However, in the second half, City were awarded a penalty for a cheeky foul on Silva.
“VAR will not work properly in Premier League until the quality of the officials is improved. Inconsistency over the 2 #ARSMCI penalties, both were pens, only 1 given. Frustrates fans, players. Ruins game. Some good refs but the overall quality is not good enough for an elite competition,” Henry Winter, a writer for the Times Sport, said.
VAR will not work properly in @premierleague until the quality of the officials is improved. Inconsistency over the 2 #ARSMCI penalties, both were pens, only 1 given. Frustrates fans, players. Ruins game. Some good refs but overall quality not good enough for an elite competition
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) January 1, 2022
Some fans were of the opinion that Manchester City had paid Stuart Attwell to favor the club.
The referee after realising how much he’s gonna get paid after todays game #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/2qrSOZnlGF
— £ryk (@01_eryk) January 1, 2022
The ref in the Arsenal vs Man City game #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/ynoPaxucS5
— Adil (@adil_certi1) January 1, 2022
While others were just outraged because of the way the game went on.
ZERO CONSISTENCY FROM DODGY OFFICIALS, this league is rigged #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/6FQAaiEoL3
— Captain Horrible (@Captainhorribl1) January 1, 2022
Well this explains everything. #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/HbuKFMjM5g
— That guy (@_Amuda_) January 1, 2022
It wasn’t just Arsenal fans who were shocked at the refereeing, even a few rival fans agreed with their views.
“I don’t really like arsenal that much but they’ve been absolutely robbed today. The standard of refereeing embarrassing the premier league yet again,” a Newcastle fan tweeted.
I don’t really like arsenal that much but they’ve been absolutely robbed today. The standard of refereeing embarrassing the premier league yet again #ARSMCI
— Reece⚫️⚪️ (@ReeceRobson15) January 1, 2022
Manchester City fans rejoice after the win
Most Man City fans paid no heed to the allegations of the Arsenal faithful and were rejoicing after their win.
That last-minute winner feeling. 😍💙 @ManCity pic.twitter.com/unHO2orVjc
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) January 1, 2022
THE CHAMPIONS KEEP MOVING. pic.twitter.com/u9Qd3VRna4
— City Report (@cityreport_) January 1, 2022
However, a fan did say that Arsenal had concocted their own troubles up and deserved to lose the match.
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“The disrespect from VAR to scuff the penalty spot, make a professional foul and miss an open goal,” Ben Haines tweeted.
The disrespect from VAR to scuff the penalty spot, make a professional foul and miss an open goal. #ARSMCI
— Ben Haines (@benhainess) January 1, 2022
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The win has given Manchester City a stronghold on their top position. Furthermore, they are now 11 points clear of the second position which is taken by Chelsea. Chelsea will play Liverpool in their next game.