Arsenal’s win over Chelsea wasn’t without a bit of drama in the end and a lot of it was centred around the behaviour from corners.
Arsenal got both their goals from set-pieces but at the other end, they also conceded and came close on two occasions to giving penalties away.
One such key incident came when Declan Rice went up for the ball with his arms wrapped around Joao Pedro. The ball rebounded off Rice’s raised elbow but the referee and then VAR deemed it not a penalty.
However, former Man United defender Wes Brown has suggested that Rice got away with it thanks to his own decision.
TRUE or FALSE: Bukayo Saka is the BEST winger in the Premier League…
Wes Brown shares how Declan Rice avoided giving a penalty away against Chelsea
Chelsea ended up scoring from the corresponding corner that came from this decision – or lack of – in this case.
However, former treble winner Wes Brown believes Rice knew full well what he was doing.
“There’s a lot holding going on, and for whatever reason the referees are allowing it,” Brown commented for Stadium Astro.
“Obviously the Declan Rice one in the first half, it could have been a handball. For me, to hold onto an attacking player for that long or that period of time is bizarre. But there must be some agreement because the refs are letting them do it.
“Listen, he’s an intelligent player and I think he sees the ball coming and he knows he’s not going to get there so he moves his head away. But he does move his arm a bit and for me, if you move your arm into the ball like then it’s a penalty.”
Answer honestly, was Declan Rice lucky to escape punishment here?
The big issue in the matter with Rice here is that we all know full well that if this at the other end, Arsenal fans would have been screaming for the penalty.
Yes, you can see why the referee might not have given it but in one way or another, this is a penalty, either for holding or handball.
The other problem here is that Arsenal are bringing so much attention to this matter now that sooner or later they’re going to get punished. Either in their own box, or in the opposition box.
Sure, it’s impressive to see Arsenal so dominant on set-plays at the moment. But they are playing with fire and if it somehow ends up costing them at the end of the season, it will be a huge talking point.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
