The Premier League title may be out of reach for Arsenal this season, but the sting of poor officiating lingers on, following yet another contentious refereeing decision during their clash with Everton. While the Gunners arguably deserved the victory, given their dominance and the limited chances afforded to Everton, a controversial penalty call marred the encounter, leaving Arsenal frustrated.
Mikel Arteta, speaking post-match, highlighted the challenges faced at Goodison Park, “I think we deserve more, but that’s what we got at the end. It’s a tough place to come. They execute their game plan very well, constantly putting balls into our last line. We conceded nothing, which was a positive.”
The penalty decision, orchestrated by match official Darren England, was contentious, with the match riddled by 30 fouls by the final whistle, leaving the game disjointed and staccato. England’s contentious penalty call, which VAR didn’t deem a clear and obvious error, proved to be a pivotal moment.
Arteta weighed in on the decision, expressing his discontent: “The referee decides to give a penalty. It changes the course of the game. I’ve watched it repeatedly, and in my view, it’s never a penalty. Additionally, if it were, O’Brien should be off the pitch, leaving Everton with 10 men.”
England’s performance was noted for its inconsistencies, culminating in a moment of farce at the final whistle when he prematurely ended the game, missing the advertised added time.
This isn’t the first time this season where Arsenal have found themselves ruing questionable refereeing decisions. Yet, Arteta was quick to deflect blame when asked if such decisions widened the gap to Liverpool in the standings. “Credit to Liverpool for how they are winning their matches,” he commented. “Today, it was about what affected the scoreline.”
While reflecting on missed opportunities and officiating woes, Arsenal now turn their attention to an even grander stage — the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. Arteta’s squad selection against Everton hinted at prioritising this marquee fixture, with players such as Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, and Raheem Sterling all earning rare starts.
Despite calling the Everton game the “biggest”, it’s evident Arteta’s sights are set on the European titans. With the league nearly settled, his focus rightfully shifts towards the prospect of conquering the Spanish giants. Should Arteta navigate his squad past Real Madrid, despite injuries and squad limitations, it may herald the dawn of something truly extraordinary for Arsenal.
The challenge is monumental and rests heavily on Arteta’s ability to organise his defence effectively. While Jakub Kiwior performed admirably against Everton, questions linger about his consistency, with both William Saliba and Arteta visibly guiding him through the match. With defensive adjustments likely, the offensive spark will undoubtedly come from the electric pace of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
As Arsenal prepare, Arteta has a scant two days to devise his game plan against a formidable Madrid side known to exploit open play — something Arsenal might utilize to their advantage. Despite limited training time, preparation will be intensive, aiming to execute their strategy successfully.
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