The fact that it was Mike Dean that awarded Arsenal the penalty that allowed us to take a vital lead in the hugely important away win over Man City yesterday made it even more remarkable, because Arsenal fans will remember that we have usually been on the wrong end of decisions when that particular referee has been in charge.
I do have some sympathy for the Man City boss as well. Manuel Pellegrini admitted that Vincent Kompany was slightly at fault for his body movement, but there is no doubt that our Spanish left back Nacho Monreal made the most out of minimal contact. I will hold my hands up and say Arsenal got lucky with that one, BUT….
It is about time, because over the course of the season so far, the Gunners have had many more bad decisions go against us than for us.
Of course, this will not mean much to Pellegrini and his beaten players, but I would remind them of a few things that went their way in the same fixture last season. Monreal was given incorrectly offside when through on goal at 1-1 and the same happened to Walcott at 2-1. And both Giroud and Bendtner had the ball in the back of the net in the second half and both were disallowed, again incorrectly, for offside.
That was four crucial calls against us and we lost 6-3, so do not think for minute that Arsenal have been helped by the officials. In fact, we are probably due a few more breaks this season, especially in the Champions League, with Ramsey and Debuchy being harshly sent off as well as that offside Anderlecht goal costing us top spot in the group.