Friends of the English Premier League had been looking forward to an offensive spectacle between the formally strong Arsenal FC and front runners ManCity. In the end, the weak referee was the focus of attention.
Manchester City won the top game of the Premier League on New Years Day. The “Skyblues” won 2-1 away at Arsenal FC. Riyad Mahrez scored from the penalty spot (57th minute) and Rodrigo shortly before the end of the game (90th + 3) for the defending champions and leaders. England international Bukayo Saka had previously given Arsenal the lead after a remarkable move (31st).
Referee Atwell with no recognizable line in the game
However, the game in north London was dominated by the poor referee performance of Stuart Atwell. The referee did not make a good impression in a number of actions. First, he denied a penalty whistle in the 10th minute after Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard was tripped by ManCity’s goalkeeper Ederson after an ankle contact. Even after protests by the “Gunners” professionals, Atwell refrained from viewing the VAR screen on the sidelines – a wrong decision.
However, Atwell made the move to the sideline before the penalty that Mahrez converted. Bernardo Silva fell after a dribble against the ex-Gladbach Granit Xhaka. Both players insisted, a clear foul was not to be recognized. Still, according to the pictures, Atwell pointed to the penalty spot.
Almost in return, Arsenal had a great chance of taking the 2-1 lead. Initially, ManCity saved an unfortunate clearing action just before the goal line, while Atwell hindered the incoming Arsenal striker Martinelli, who subsequently only hit the outside post.
As if that wasn’t enough, Arsenal’s central defender Gabriel received his second yellow card seconds later after a tactical foul and had to leave the field early. Arsenal defended the last 30 minutes of the game with the last of their strengths against the now high-ranking “Citizens”. In the 90th + 3 midfield clearer Rodrigo was spot on and converted a rebound to the decisive 2: 1.
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