Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Sunderland was less a failure of performance and more an indictment of the tight margins and controversial calls that plague the Premier League. While the late
Brian Brobbey equaliser broke the Gunners' hearts, a forensic review of the official’s key decisions suggests that
Mikel Arteta’s side was arguably
"hard done by," with two significant officiating errors proving costly in a match where Arsenal desperately needed all three points. Referee
Craig Pawson and the VAR room now face scrutiny over moments involving
Mikel Merino’s missed penalty call and a pivotal, game-defining free-kick decision.
The Merino Head-High Challenge: A Clear Penalty Missed
In the opening minutes of the match, an aerial duel between Arsenal’s makeshift forward Mikel Merino and Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard resulted in Merino collapsing and requiring significant treatment. The incident stemmed from a cross into the box where Ballard, while challenging for the ball, led with his left arm, making forceful contact with the head of Merino well before clearing the ball.
The ‘Anywhere Else’ Test
The consensus among analysts reviewing the footage is that this incident fails the "anywhere outside the box" test. As the report notes, had this challenge occurred in the midfield, a foul would have been "often given" for the clear, forceful contact with the head/face. The fact that the challenge occurred within the 18-yard box should not change the fundamental interpretation of the foul.
- The VAR Mandate: The VAR system is tasked with intervening for a "clear and obvious error." Given that Ballard led with his arm, making forceful contact with the opponent's face before controlling the ball, the lack of intervention suggests a failure to apply the law consistently, particularly when compared to other, less clear-cut incidents given as penalties earlier in the season.
- Verdict: The overwhelming opinion is an incorrect decision; a penalty should have been given to Arsenal. This early decision directly influenced the flow of the game, denying Arsenal a chance to take a vital lead and avoiding the pressure of having to come from behind.
The Unjust Free-Kick: The Zubimendi Denial and Sunderland’s Goal
Perhaps the most catastrophic error of the afternoon came in the lead-up to Sunderland’s opening goal, where a dubious free-kick was awarded against Arsenal’s defensive midfielder, Martin Zubimendi.
The Double Error
This decision involved two potential errors:
- The Missed Foul: The preceding action involved Granit Xhaka arguably fouling Eberechi Eze with a tackle from behind, which Pawson waved away.
- The Wrongful Foul: Moments later, as Sunderland attempted a counterattack, Zubimendi lunged to intercept Wilson Isidor, winning the ball cleanly. Pawson, however, awarded the foul, booked Zubimendi for the denial of a breakaway, and gifted Sunderland a free-kick in a dangerous area.
- Replay Evidence: Replays definitively show that Zubimendi "clearly made a fair challenge, getting a strong foot on the ball" before any contact with the player. The booking was predicated on the foul decision, meaning the entire chain of events—the foul, the yellow card, and the resulting set-piece—was based on an incorrect initial judgment.
- The Consequence: Sunderland scored from the resulting free-kick via Dan Ballard. While the report acknowledges that the "Gunners should defend much better from the long ball," the simple fact remains that the goal would not have happened if the "free-kick had not been given."
- Verdict: Incorrect decision, no free-kick should have been awarded. This sequence directly led to the 812-minute clean-sheet record being broken and put Arsenal into a costly deficit.
The Brobbey Equaliser: Right Goal, Wrong Outcome
In the frantic, final moments of the game, Brian Brobbey secured a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser, flicking the ball into the net amid a messy melee. Arsenal players might have complained about a "high foot" on Gabriel Magalhães, who went down holding his face.
The Calamity of Errors
The review of this incident concludes that while contact existed, it was insufficient to overturn the goal, primarily due to Arsenal's own defensive failure in the lead-up:
- Gabriel’s Action: The Arsenal defender was "pulling the shirt of Brobbey considerably" as the striker challenged for the ball, complicating his claim to foul-play.
- Raya’s Indecision: Goalkeeper David Raya was criticized for being "in a muddle and tries to collect it instead" of punching the ball clear, adding to the instability in the box.
The combination of the shirt pull, the goalkeeper error, and the lack of conclusive evidence for dangerous play meant that the goal was correctly upheld. It was deemed a "calamity of errors at the back" rather than a refereeing misjudgment.
- Verdict: Correct decision, the goal stands.
The Unspoken Cost: Two Points and Title Race Momentum
Ultimately, the match analysis confirms the feeling of injustice within the Arsenal camp. Pawson’s two primary errors—the failure to award a penalty to Merino and the erroneous free-kick decision that led directly to the first goal—were decisive. Had those two calls been correct, the narrative of the match shifts dramatically, likely allowing Arsenal to secure the victory and maintain a potentially title-winning lead over Manchester City. In the unforgiving theatre of the Premier League title race, two incorrectly awarded points due to officiating errors can prove the difference between champions and runners-up.
Comments
Post a Comment