Arsenal secured a dramatic 4-2 victory against Leicester City at the Emirates.
It seemed like a straightforward game for the Gunners at home and they looked comfortable at half-time. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for Arsenal before Leandro Trossard doubled that lead in first-half stoppage time.
Everyone were expecting a dominant win for Mikel Arteta’s side after the break, but Leicester levelled the scores thanks to a brace from James Justin.
It looked like one of those days for Arsenal, but they kept pushing. A Wilfred Ndidi own goal in the 94th minute put them ahead again and Kai Havertz sealed the win with a tap-in in the 99th minute.
Arsenal were made to work really hard, but this would’ve been a comfortable game had the referee taken some strict action in the first seven minutes.
Oliver Skipp made a terrible tackle on Gabriel Martinelli. His foot went over the ball and he caught the Brazilian on his ankle with his studs up.
The referee didn’t even give him a yellow card, and Arsenal fans were furious.
Arsenal fans react to Oliver Skipp’s ‘horrible’ tackle on Gabriel Martinelli
A studs-up challenge is usually viewed as dangerous play and Martinelli could’ve seriously hurt himself early in the game.
Arsenal fans also spotted that Skipp kicked the ball away after the challenge to delay the restart, but the referee ignored both offences.
Arsenal fans, unsurprisingly, were furious. Many felt it was a straight red card but the fact that he didn’t even get a yellow really frustrated Gooners.
“How has Skipp not been sent off for that challenge? Not even booked!! Obviously not as dangerous as kicking a ball away,” said another.
Another wrote: “Skipp almost breaking Martinelli’s leg but not even a yellow card.”
“That should be at least a yellow card for Oliver Skipp. Studs up in on Gabriel Martinelli,” said another Arsenal supporter.
Another Gooner tweeted: “That’s at least a yellow for Skipp. Yet, referees will book players for moving the ball.”
Arsenal got lucky with one decision
Arsenal are right to be upset with the decision to not punish Skipp, but they got away with one themselves in the second half.
Riccardo Calafiori got a yellow card for a very soft tackle and the Italian was not happy. However, later in the half, things could’ve got worse.
The former Bologna man made a cynical foul that arguably deserved a second yellow card. But, the referee decided against it.
Arsenal deserve some luck with refereeing decisions after everything that has already gone against them this season.
If Calafiori had received a red card, the Gunners would’ve probably ended up dropping points, which would’ve been a huge blow.
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