Arsenal have had to battle against a number of challenges in the race for the Champions League qualification spots. However, what is becoming increasingly clear is that there are other obstacles Mikel Arteta’s team is having to deal with beyond just their rivals. The fortune of sides like Manchester United has simply not been afforded to the Gunners.
Arsenal have experienced a serial red card problem with questionable yellow card decisions that have led to dismissals. This is not to say that the players have not always been deserving of their sanctions, but the consistency across the league is absent.
Players at the club have appeared to garner harsher punishment through little more than an established reputation. Whereas players such as Manchester United’s Scott McTominay have got off scot-free. Pun absolutely intended.
READ MORE: Alexandre Lacazette leads Arsenal revolt against refereeing as Granit Xhaka injustice is exposed
Granit Xhaka is a player who, more than most, is subject to cards from officials. However, despite plenty being justified, there are a growing number of incidents of questionable legitimacy. Against Aston Villa, Xhaka was given a yellow card by Andrew Madley for supposedly making three fouls despite only making one.
In yesterday's 1-1 draw between Manchester United and Leicester City, McTominay went in for an overzealous challenge on James Maddison arguably worthy of a straight red. Yet, he was only delivered a yellow and the social media response was swift. It was not long before the Xhaka comparisons were being made.
@RationalArsenal: McTominay is the anti-Xhaka The man commits more red card offences than any player in the history of football and never gets sent off
@CarlBovis_AFC: Wonder what colour the card would be if Xhaka made that exact McTominay challenge..
@GunnerLouLou: That was one of those ‘if it was Xhaka it’s a red’ .. but luckily his name is McTominay
@officialsimcard: That Was Supposed to be a straight Red Card for Scott McTominay... If That Was Granit Xhaka of Arsenal They would give Him 2 Straight RED CARDS
Arsenal will continue to do what they have done, and that is to win in spite of arguably poor officiating. Mikel Arteta’s men are taking each game as they come.
Crystal Palace is up next. A ground that has seen Xhaka fall foul of conceding a penalty in 2018. The Swiss scored directly from a free-kick before being deemed to have tripped Wilfried Zaha in the box.
The decision itself was controversial. This was before the days of VAR, and the Ivory Coast international tricked onto the outside of Xhaka who stuck out a leg and Zaha said ‘Thank you very much’ and went to ground. The contact, if any, was minimal, however.
Arsenal need their composure for the final ten matches of the season. There is sure to be injustice, we know that. But we need to create our own luck and that is done through good football and scoring plenty of goals without the need for the referee’s input.
