Fans of the Premier League were left to question another referee call in Wednesday night's clash epic clash between Man City and Arsenal. The latter benefited from a decision that set them on course to grab an equalizer, and one that has sparked a debate on social media.
It was largely an dramatic first half of football action with Man City capitalising on a defensive howler to break the deadlock inside the first 24 minutes. An erroneous pass from Tomiyasu intended for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was intercepted by Kevin De Bruyne and subsequently buried in the Arsenal net.
However, the opportunity to initiate a comeback brought itself right on the verge of half-time for the Gunners. Match referee Anthony Taylor handed the Premier League leaders a penalty kick after City's Ederson collided with Edward Nketiah in an attempt to deal with the striker's shot. Watch:
The incident that led to Arsenal's penalty
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) February 15, 2023
Was it the correct decision? #PLonPrime #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/DAJxya4i55
Despite Bukayo Saka converting the attempt, some fans were not convinced about the legitimacy of the referee's call. The general sentiment was that it was too soft to be given and the goalkeeper falling into the Arsenal man was expected.
Below are a few reactions:
Just look at Xhaka's reaction he's going mad when he walks over thinking it's a foul against Nketiah and then he nods his head when the ref says penalty every big game we get this shit
— Andy (@a779457) February 15, 2023
That's the referee trying to compensate Arsenal for last weekend's bad call.
— Yomi Kazeem (@TheYomiKazeem) February 15, 2023
Ederson came out - as is his right, didn't lunge at Nketiah, and only made contact *after* Nketiah hit the shot.
Also, if it's a supposed penalty, why not book Ederson?
Ridiculous decision.
Ederson doesn't affect Nketiah's shot (which he missed), the most obvious rule in the book but just give a penalty anyway
— ¹⁰ (@SxrgioSZN) February 15, 2023
Tim Howard says it was a soft penalty b/c Ederson "didn't leave his feet" as the replay shows him jumping into the air and crashing into Eddie Nketiah.
— The Short Fuse (@TheShortFuse) February 15, 2023
A+ analysis. No notes.
Nketiah gets his shot away, both of their momentum takes them into each other - if anything, Ederson stops - the ball is cleared off the line, Arsenal players are silent (for once) and get on with the game, and that's a penalty?
— Dev Bajwa (@ammandev) February 15, 2023
That's called VAR tax, mate pic.twitter.com/LikHIxEzYh
When making their next compilation of ref decisions gone against them, they will quietly shove the Nketiah penalty vs City under the carpet. Thieves!
— eddy (@ediological) February 15, 2023
Nketiah has already took the shot it has no impact on him whatsoever, Ederson doesn't go into him on purpose…. The fact that is a penalty they would give on FIFA tells you all you need to know…..
— Hassaan (@mcfchassaan) February 15, 2023
No way that's a penalty.
— Jaco™ (@JacoCats) February 15, 2023
Not even Nketiah was asking for the foul, how can you give that.
Insanity, and Arsenal have the courage to play the victim card, embarrassing.
