Arsenal has been one of the most vocal teams about refereeing decisions this season, and their grievances stem from a series of contentious calls that have gone against them as they chase the Premier League title. While referees are human and bound to make mistakes, some of the decisions affecting the Gunners have raised suspicions of bias among their supporters.
The North London club has not hesitated to express its frustration, with players, fans, and management openly discussing how frequently they feel wronged by officiating errors. Despite these setbacks, Arsenal continues to win games and remains firmly in the hunt for the league title, closely pursuing Liverpool at the top of the standings.
However, not everyone sympathises with Arsenal’s approach. Roy Keane, speaking on the matter, criticised the Gunners for what he sees as unnecessary complaints, especially when those decisions do not ultimately affect the outcome of the match. As quoted by Football Insider, the former Manchester United captain remarked:
“Arsenal won the game, they won the game. So they regrouped. Arsenal had a great opportunity for the manager again after the match to come out and go, ‘we’re not even discussing it. We have to roll with it, our players showed what they’re about.’ Focus on getting the result instead of still going on about the referee. Leave the referee, you’ve won the game. The referee’s going to get criticised anyway; everyone was criticising him, so you show a bit of class as Arsenal.”
Keane’s comments underline the need for Arsenal to remain focused on their performances rather than engaging in post-match discussions about officiating. However, Arsenal’s position is understandable, as repeated poor decisions can influence confidence and momentum during a season where margins are thin.
While it is important to maintain discipline and focus on results, the Gunners also have the right to voice their concerns when decisions seem unjust. Balancing professionalism with accountability in football is not easy, and Arsenal will need to carefully navigate this challenge as they continue their pursuit of the Premier League crown.
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Did Keane happen to notice how close the title race was just last season? Funny how the closer it got to the end how the potential importance of goal differential was being recognized more and more. The various parties can complain and call attention to the injustices without affecting the teams results. However, the calls can very well have real consequences for the current game, future games (suspensions), and the final league table (even to the point of goal differential) regardless of anything else.
I know we won the game.
That doesn’t alter the fact that we could have lost Skelly for 3 games as a result of an unfortunate refereeing error
Unfortunate? You can’t argue with his track record of dodgy decisions where Arsenal are involved. “Letter of the law” appears to be important when Arsenal are involved but not for other teams.
So the reff makes a mistake and it got overturned
That’s happened for decades
It’s not the refereeing decisions per se, it’s the fact that the decisions are inconsistent. It wouldn’t have been a red in any other match. Explain why Oliver has given Arsenal 8 red cards and Man City and Liverpool 0. As a statistician one would certainly be looking at bias. If you are going to apply “letter of the law” then it has to be every time. Not because “I didn’t want it to spoil the match.
But it’s the first time in the ref4, the four VAR officials, Howard Webb and the PGMOL have all made the same mistake and seen their version of events overturned Dan – unless you can tell me otherwise?
Not sure about the last two
I simply went off Sue saying it was an unfortunate reff error like it’s unusual
I remember a Villa player getting a red card for a headbutt and VAR not getting involved lol
That’s a pretty ill-spirited interpretation of the word “unfortunate”. I think she just meant that the decision was a shame.
I’d imagine Arteta is disliked by refs, and for quite understandable reasons; his behaviour on the touchline crosses lines (pun very much intended). It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that this translates to bias, probably somewhat unconscious.
I think the issue is that PMGOL is legislator and oversight in the same body. There are a few serious issues that one can appeal to FIFA for but otherwise, there is a conflict of interest in asking the a governing body to review their own actions. There needs to be an independent appeals body built into the system. Yes, refs get abused way too much and this needs to be clamped down on, but they’ve created a siege mentality whereby even the act of criticising a referee leads to a ban. As far as I know, only North Korea accept such a system.
Well no at start of season rules are explained to all managers about what you can and can’t say
You can say you think it’d not a yellow
You simply can’t accuse / imply that cheating was going on
Captains can talk to officials on the pitch but not everyone
Again we are acting like this is new
Sean M
You’re right about my interpretation of unfortunate
Is this the same Roy Keane who used to chase the referee in games where he thought there’d been an injustice done to his team. Just Saying. 🙄🤦♂️
Yeah, he was always so classy and rose above it all. Just another Manure hypocrite.
Arsenal ex players have to be a lil more vocal too.
Exactly!!!
Call these ex manure players out for what they did, as they seem to be wanting to re-write history 😂😂
Guys I listened to it
They admit they surrounded officials and were not innocent
They are simply saying that with today’s social media and some ‘ fans ‘ resorting to abuse do we ‘ all’ need to be more responsible as the priority has to be a person’s welfare