It was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for Arsenal fans as we watched the Premier League clash with Man City yesterday. Early dominance and a so nearly scoring the opening goal through the new signing Danny Welneck turned into the Gunners trailing and, let’s be honest, looking like we had run out of ideas.
But then the Gunners managed to produce two fantastic goals and so for a while we were dreaming about a famous and fantastic win against the reigning champs. As we know, it was not to be because our defensive failings from set pieces raised it’s head again. And we nearly lost the game entirely in a frantic last few minutes.
All in all though, a draw seemed to be a fair reflection of a topsy turvy match and a result that neither side could really moan about. Or at least that is what I thought until I heard the complaints of the City boss Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean has really got a bee in his bonnet and reckons that refveree Mark Clattenburg was personally responsible for his team’s failure to win. Not only does he think that City should have had a penalty, but he claims that both of our goals should have been ruled out, as an ESPN report explains.
Pellegrini said, “I think it was a great game, two very good teams which try to play, both teams are very creative. Today both goals by Arsenal were very clear fouls, the first one, two or three continuous fouls and the second one Welbeck on Vincent.
“Wilshere had two hands in front of the linesman and it is a clear penalty, so in that case I must be very happy with the draw. We have more possession and more chances than Arsenal.
“I think we have very difficult decisions, today was unbelievable. He [Clattenburg] had a very bad day today in the same way he had a bad day against Liverpool last year.”
So has he got a point? In my opinion, not really. The Wilshere handball, which our player does not deny, was one of those which he could not have helped and which you would say was harsh if given. The `continuous fouling` on our first goal was just the same sort of pressure which City put on us throughout the game. Clattenburg WAS lenient but to both sides and I do not think there was any bias.
In fact he could easily have showed Lampard a second yellow in the first half. Let’s go even further and ask why Fernandinho did not see red when he committed a bookable foul and then blatantly and petulantly kicked the ball away.
So stop moaning Manuel and come and see me again when you have had about half of the dodgy decisions that Arsenal had to stomach last season!!