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football.london reviews the big decisions by the officials after Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, including Gabriel Magalhaes' battle with Erling Haaland and the potential two red cards that were missed
Arsenal suffered their most brutal defeat of the season away at Manchester City, which has left the Premier League title on a knife-edge. Should Pep Guardiola’s team manage to win their midweek game, both will be level on points, with the title being decided in the end on goal difference a real possibility.
Mikel Arteta was pleased with his side’s performance but not their finishing after missing several big opportunities. However, there were some high-profile big calls by the officials which could have swayed the game in a different direction.
Referee Anthony Taylor officiated the encounter with a desire to let the game be played and allowed the players themselves to determine how physical it became, but in the end, there were questions. In retrospect, football.london takes a look at each incident to decipher what happened and whether a mistake was made.
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Khusanov DOGSO
With the game level at 1-1 in the 54th minute, Gabriel Martinelli does what is probably the only thing he can be credited with in the ‘good column’ for the game, playing a quick through ball to Kai Havertz. Through on goal, he is brought down by Abdukodir Khusanov, but Taylor waves play on, deeming there to be no foul.
FL review: In Europe, Barcelona were punished for two denials of a goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO), with the Spaniards given two red cards and the tie was lost. Here, in the Premier League, a very similar incident occurred, with no debate about Khusanov being the last man with no one covering.
Havertz has the advantage and will run through one-on-one with Donnarumma. However, he is bundled over by the defender who does not get the ball, he is slightly behind the German too, not side-to-side, and to wave this away as nothing but a good challenge to me is baffling. It’s a foul and in the situation that it is, a red card.
FL verdict: Wrong decision. Red card for Khusanov.
Erling Haaland vs Gabriel
The replays given in the immediate aftermath did not show just how much grappling was going on between both Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes during the moment that the Norwegian would score the home side’s winning goal. As the ball comes across, a goal-side camera picks up that both players are holding one another.
However, on the Haaland side, he has Gabriel’s shirt high up his torso and manages to swing the Brazilian around and gain an advantage. He takes the chance really well and scores.
FL review: This is one of those where I think fans of both clubs will share the different view. Yes, there is a case, but because Gabriel is holding Haaland too, I think there is enough to not see a clear and obvious error given.
FL verdict: Correct decision. Goal.
Gabriel red card
The centre-half played this game incredibly emotionally, and as the game came to a boiling point, clashed with Haaland. The pair went head-to-head, with Gabriel eventually pushing the striker away using his forehead to do it.
FL review: Absolute head loss from Gabriel and incredibly fortunate not only not to get sent off but also to avoid a three-match ban, which would have been incredibly damaging – missing half of the remaining league games. You just cannot do that in the game and it was a summary of how he played the game, too emotionally.
FL verdict: Incorrect decision. Red card.
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