Ref Review: Arsenal – Liverpool

By Usama and Walter

  • ARSENAL vs. LIVERPOOL
  • COMPETITION: English Premier League
  • MATCH NO. 3
  • DATE: 24th August 2015
  • VENUE: Emirates Stadium (London, England)

MATCH OFFICIALS:

REFEREE: Michael Oliver
1st LINESMAN: Simon Bennett
2nd LINESMAN: John Brooks
4th OFFICIAL: Neil Swarbrick

First Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
13:33 Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Coquelin and Coutinho both were chasing after the ball on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area. Coquelin made a sliding tackle attempt and kicked the ball cleanly away without foul Coutinho. At the same time that Coquelin kicked the ball, Coutinho kicked the backside of left leg (Near the ligaments). Moments later Coquelin started to limp and went off the field for treatment. Should have been a foul for Arsenal. Referee didn’t give a foul and carried on the play.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)
18:17 James Milner (Liverpool) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)

 

Milner made a very late sliding tackle in the center of the field on Monreal. Milner caught the left shin and calf of Monreal slightly.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

20:30 Joe Gomez (Liverpool) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Ramsey was intercepted the ball from Gomez and started to run. Gomez started to pull the right hand of Ramsey and then pushed him down.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

20:51 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) A trailing arm from Giroud extending towards Lovren caught Lovren in the slightly in neck.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LIVERPOOL.

1 (FOUL)

 

21:47 James Milner (Liverpool) Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Just as Cazorla received the ball inside the Arsenal’s Half, Milner came from behind and pushed Cazorla off the ball using his right hand and then at the same time tripped Cazorla by using his right foot. Should have been a foul for Arsenal. Referee didn’t give a foul and allowed Liverpool to take the ball and start an attack.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)
27:03 Joe Gomez (Liverpool) Hector Bellerin (Arsenal) Bellerin was moving forward with the ball near the manager’s touchline when Gomez came in and started pulling the right arm and right shoulder of Bellerin.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

29:18 Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Christian Benteke (Liverpool) Chambers was pulling the arms of Benteke inside the Arsenal’s Half, but Benteke kept his balance and moved forward.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR LIVERPOOL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

 

40:23 Lucas Leiva (Liverpool) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) A push and leg trip from behind on Ozil by Lucas inside the Liverpool’s Half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

 
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 4

Number of Correct Fouls for Liverpool – 1

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 5 [5 points]

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 2

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 2 [2points]

 

Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Advantages for Liverpool – 1

Total Number of Correct Advantages – 1 [1points]

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Advantages – 0

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
02:26 Emre Can (Liverpool) Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) Emre Can was a step offside behind Gabriel.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
07:56 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) Cazorla made a through pass to Ramsey who made a run behind the Liverpool defence with Skrtel being the last man in the defensive line. The moment the pass was made Ramsey WAS IN AN ONSIDE POSITION. The backside of Skrtel was at least half a step behind Ramsey’s head, thus playing Ramsey onside. Should not have been an offside and play should have carried on resulting in a goal for Arsenal. The Assistant Referee Simon Bennett gave a wrong offside and wrongly disallowed the goal for Arsenal.

 

LAW 11 – OFFSIDE

Offside position:

“A player is not in an offside position if:

• he is in his own half of the field of play or

• he is level with the second-last opponent or

• he is level with the last two opponents

 

WRONG OFFISDE AGAINST ARSENAL.

-1 (OFFSIDE)
15:51 Christian Benteke (Liverpool) Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) Benteke came in back onside from an offside position when the long ball was kicked.

CORRRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
30:17 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool) Sanchez was in an offside position near the left touchline.

CORRRECT OFFSIDE FOR LIVERPOOL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
33:36 Emre Can (Liverpool) Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)

Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)

Milner played long pass towards the left side of the field to Coutinho, Bellerin rushed towards the ball to intercept it. But Emre Can moved back from an offside position towards Bellerin and OBSTRUCTED Bellerin’s path by moving right past him, thus preventing Bellerin from intercepting the ball. So Emre Can interfered with the opponent according to LAW 11.

Good technical decision by the Assistant Referee John Brooks.

 

LAW 11 – OFFSIDE PAGE 36

Offence

“A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:

• interfering with play or

• interfering with an opponent or

• gaining an advantage by being in that position”

 

LAW 11 – OFFSIDE PAGE 110

Definitions

“Interfering with an opponent” means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball.”

 

CORRRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
36:10 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) Giroud was in an offside position when the long ball was delivered..

CORRRECT OFFSIDE FOR LIVERPOOL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
41:21 Christian Benteke (Liverpool) Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) Benteke was well offside behind the last defending player Gabriel.

CORRRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
44:39 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) Ramsey was well offside behind the Lovren when the through ball was delivered.

CORRRECT OFFSIDE FOR LIVERPOOL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
 
Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 4

Number of Correct Offsides for Liverpool – 3

Total Number of Correct Offsides – 7 [7 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 1 [1 point]

Goals

Time Goal Scorer Description & Decision Points
07:56 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Ramsey received the through ball from Cazorla touched it, moved forward, took a shot on goal and scored. The Assistant Referee Simon Bennett gave a wrong offside and wrongly disallowed the goal for Arsenal. REFER TO OFFSIDE AT MINUTE 07:56

NO GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

-3 (GOAL)
 
Number of Correct Goals for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Goals for Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Correct Goals – 0

Number of Incorrect Goals against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Goals against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Goals – 1 [3 points]

 

Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins

Time Type Last Touch OFF Description & Decision
01:36 Goal Kick Christian Benteke (Liverpool)
03:05 Throw-in Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
04:49 Goal Kick Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
05:49 Throw-in Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
06:06 Throw-in Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
09:14 Throw-in Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)
09:47 Throw-in Dejan Lovren (Liverpool)
11:01 Goal Kick Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
12:52 Goal Kick Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
13:42 Corner Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
15:01 Throw-in James Milner (Liverpool)
16:11 Throw-in Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
16:55 Corner Lucas Leiva (Liverpool)
19:02 Corner Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
19:41 Throw-in Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
21:55 Throw-in Petr Cech (Arsenal)
22:19 Throw-in Emre Can (Liverpool)
22:47 Goal Kick Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
23:59 Corner Petr Cech (Arsenal)
24:58 Goal Kick Christian Benteke (Liverpool)
25:53 Corner Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal)
28:00 Throw-in Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
28:11 Throw-in Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
29:47 Throw-in Dejan Lovren (Liverpool)
31:43 Throw-in Emre Can (Liverpool)
32:12 Goal Kick Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
32:50 Corner Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal)
34:08 Throw-in Petr Cech (Arsenal)
35:19 Throw-in Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
37:34 Throw-in Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
38:12 Corner Petr Cech (Arsenal)
38:52 Corner Petr Cech (Arsenal)
39:21 Goal Kick Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
40:02 Throw-in Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
42:21 Throw-in Emre Can (Liverpool)
44:17 Throw-in Petr Cech (Arsenal)

Other

Time Type Description & Decision Points
05:32 Referee Positioning Coquelin made a forward straight pass to Ozil in the center of the field to continue the buildup of the attack. The ball struck the head of Referee Michael Oliver who was positioned straight in the path of the pass. Thus Arsenal lost ball and the attack stopped.

POOR POSITIONING FROM THE REFEREE AGAINST ARSENAL.

-1 (POSITIONING)
Number of Other Correct Decisions For Arsenal – 0

Number of Other Correct Decisions For Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Other Correct Decisions – 0

Number of Other Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 1

Number of Other Incorrect Decisions against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Other Incorrect Decisions – 1 [1 point]

First Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 4+4 = 8

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Liverpool – 1+1+3 = 5

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 8 + 5 = 13

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 4+4 = 8

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Liverpool – 1+1+3 = 5

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 8 + 5 = 13

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 2+1+1+1 = 5

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Incorrect  Decisions = 5 + 0 = 5

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 2+1+3+1 = 7

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 7 + 0 = 7

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + InCorrect) = 13/(13+5) = 72.2%
First Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + InCorrect) = 13/(13+7) = 65%

Second Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
48:10 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Ramsey made a late tackle from behind slightly catching Coutinho and causing him loss of balance, but Coutinho recovered and moved forward.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR LIVERPOOL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

 

48:24 Joe Gomez (Liverpool) Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Late trip by Gomez on Coquelin inside Arsenal’s Half, just Coquelin as touched the ball forward.

CORRRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

51:49 Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Ozil took a quick thrown-in towards Giroud in the center of the field. Lovren was near Giroud. Giroud tried to move near the ball but Lovren held the body of Giroud using both his hands without even looking at the ball. Should have been a foul. Referee didn’t give a foul for Arsenal and carried the play on.

LAW 12, PAGE 37      

Direct Free Kick

“A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following three offences:

• holds an opponent

• spits at an opponent

• handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own

penalty area)”

 

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

 

57:10 Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)   Liverpool get a goal kick, Simon Mignolet goes back to collect the ball. The ball boy throws the ball towards Mignolet, what Mignolet does is instead of catching or collecting the ball he kicks it farther back towards the electronic commercial boards. He deliberately kicked the ball away to delay the restart of play. According to the laws below Mignolet should have been cautioned (Yellow Card) by the referee. Instead the referee gave him a warning.

LAW 12, PAGE 127

Delaying the restart of play

“Referees must caution players who delay the restart of play by tactics such as:

• taking a free kick from the wrong position with the sole intention of forcing the referee to order a retake

• appearing to take a throw-in but suddenly leaving it to one of his team-mates to take

• kicking the ball away or carrying it away with the hands after the referee has stopped play

• excessively delaying the taking of a throw-in or free kick

• delaying leaving the field of play when being substituted

• provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play”

 

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST SIMON MIGNOLET.

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

60:46 Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Sanchez continued an attack near left side of the field inside Liverpool’s Half, with Skrtel behind him Sanchez turned quickly beating Skrtel in the process, but then Skrtel pushed Sanchez in the back stopping a promising attack.

LAW 12, PAGE 125  

Cautions for Unsporting Behaviour:

“Commits a foul for the tactical purpose of interfering with or breaking up a promising attack.”

·         CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL

·         CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST SKRTEL.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

61:54 Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Firmino pushed Sanchez in the back while both were chasing the ball near the touchline.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

63:49 James Milner (Liverpool) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) A trip by Milner on Ozil inside Liverpool’s Half near the touchline.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

64:37 Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) Christian Benteke (Liverpool) Liverpool played a long ball towards Benteke inside the center of the field. The ball bounced over Benteke and then he tried to turn and move towards the ball. At the same time Gabriel used both his hands to GRAB and HOLD Benteke from the body and prevented him from going towards the ball. Thus committing a tactical foul.

 

LAW 12, PAGE 120  

Holding an opponent:                

“Holding an opponent includes the act of preventing him from moving past or around using the hands, the arms or the body.”

 

LAW 12, PAGE 125  

Cautions for Unsporting Behaviour:

“Commits a foul for the tactical purpose of interfering with or breaking up a promising attack.”

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR LIVERPOOL.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST GABRIEL.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

65:51 Emre Can (Liverpool) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Ramsey received the ball from Coquelin’s interception and Arsenal started a counter attack. Ramsey kept running with the ball with Emre Can chasing him near the center of the field. Emre Can came in with a sliding tackle and stopped Ramsey’s run by bringing him down without getting the ball.

 

LAW 12, PAGE 125  

Cautions for Unsporting Behaviour:

“Commits a foul for the tactical purpose of interfering with or breaking up a promising attack.”

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST EMRE CAN.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

71:35 Lucas Leiva (Liverpool) Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Giroud got a pass inside the Liverpool’s penalty area and just as he kicked the ball on the stretch towards Ramsey, Lucas came in with a sliding tackle full studs up and struck Giroud on his left foot, causing Giroud to fall down. Should have been a penalty for Arsenal. Referee didn’t give penalty and carried the play on.

 

LAW 14, PAGE 45

“A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits one of the ten offences for which a direct free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play.”

 

LAW 12, PAGE 37      

Direct Free Kick

“A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following seven offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

• kicks or attempts to kick an opponent

• trips or attempts to trip an opponent

• jumps at an opponent

• charges an opponent

• strikes or attempts to strike an opponent

• pushes an opponent

• tackles an opponent

“A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following three offences:

• holds an opponent

• spits at an opponent

• handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own

penalty area)”

 

NO PENALTY FOR ARSENAL.

-3 (PENALTY)

 

73:40 Emre Can (Liverpool) Emre Can received a pass from Coutinho and used his hand to control it.

LAW 12, PAGE 37      

Direct Free Kick

“A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following three offences:

• holds an opponent

• spits at an opponent

• handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own

penalty area)”

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

77:17 Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Jordan Ibe (Liverpool) Coquelin pulled the left arm of Ibe whowas slightly off balance. Ibe recovered and moved forward.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR LIVERPOOL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

 

78:36 Joe Gomez (Liverpool) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Ramsey kept the ball in play with a backheel. Gomez and Ramsey both then chased after the ball inside Liverpool’s Half. Gomez used his left hand and pulled the neck and left shoulder of Ramsey, then he tripped Ramsey from behind, causing Ramsey to fall down and breaking up Arsenal’s attack.

 

LAW 12, PAGE 125  

Cautions for Unsporting Behaviour:

“Commits a foul for the tactical purpose of interfering with or breaking up a promising attack.”

 

·         CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

·         CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST JOE GOMEZ.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

84:40 Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) Chamberlain took the shot and the ball went out of play at 84:02. Normally or an average time for a Goal Keeper to take a goal kick is around 18-24 seconds considering he has to pick up the ball, place the ball and then take the kick. This type of time loss is considered is to be natural according to the following law.

LAW 7, PAGE 106

Allowance for time lost

“Many stoppages in play are entirely natural (e.g. throw-ins, goal kicks). An allowance is to be made only when these delays are excessive”

Now what Simon Mignolet did was he waited and waited and waited for the goal kick to taken. He took the goal kick at 84:40 this means that he took 38 seconds to take a goal kick, which when compared to natural loss of time, his time exceeded by 14 seconds minimum. He intentionally delayed the goal kick from being taken by just standing and wasting time. The referee correctly cautioned (Yellow Card) Mignolet just as it is mentioned in the laws below.

LAW 12, PAGE 127

Delaying the restart of play

“Referees must caution players who delay the restart of play by tactics such as:

• taking a free kick from the wrong position with the sole intention of forcing the referee to order a retake

• appearing to take a throw-in but suddenly leaving it to one of his team-mates to take

• kicking the ball away or carrying it away with the hands after the referee has stopped play

• excessively delaying the taking of a throw-in or free kick

• delaying leaving the field of play when being substituted

• provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play”

Now this was the second time that Mignolet committed an offence regarding “Delaying the restart of play” or simply known as time wasting. At Minute 57:10 Mignolet committed his first time wasting offence, where according to the laws he should have been Yellow Carded but was not.

 

Considering that this was his second time wasting offence for which he was correctly Yellow Carded, he PERSISTENTLY COMMITTED THE SAME BOOKABLE OFFENECE, this yellow card should have been his second yellow card according to the laws mentioned and thus he should have been sent off (Red Card) by the referee, which did not happen.

LAW 12, PAGE 127

Persistent Infringement

“Referees should be alert at all times to players who persistently infringe the Laws. In particular, they must be aware that, even if a player commits a number of different offences, he must still be cautioned for persistently infringing the Laws.”

LAW 12, PAGE 40

Sending-off offences

A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off if he commits any of the following seven offences:

• serious foul play

• violent conduct

• spitting at an opponent or any other person

• denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)

• denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick

• using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures

• receiving a second caution in the same match

·         CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST SIMON MIGNOLET.

·         NO RED CARD AGAINST SIMON MIGNOLET.

2 (YELLOW CARD)

-3 (RED CARD)

85:50 Christian Benteke (Liverpool) Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Benteke and Chambers both jumped for the ball to head it. Benteke jumped but his trailing left elbow caught the face of Calum Chambers. Should have been a foul for Arsenal. Referee didn’t give a foul.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

 

90:22 Jordan Ibe (Liverpool) Calum Chambers (Arsenal) A push by Ibe on Chambers causing him fall down.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

 
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 8

Number of Correct Fouls for Liverpool – 1

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 9 [9points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 2

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 2 [2 points]

 

Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Advantages for Liverpool – 2

Total Number of Correct Advantages – 2 [2points]

 

 

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Advantages – 0

 

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 4

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Liverpool – 1

Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 5 [10points]

 

 

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards – 1 [2points]

 

Number of Correct Red Cards for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Red Cards for Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Correct Red Cards – 0

 

 

Number of Incorrect Red Cards against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Red Cards against Liverpool – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Red Cards – 1 [3points]

 

·         Number of Correct Penalties for Arsenal – 0

·         Number of Correct Penalties for Liverpool – 0

·         Total Number of Correct Penalties – 0

 

 

·         Number of Incorrect Penalties against Arsenal – 1

·         Number of Incorrect Penalties against Liverpool – 0

·         Total Number of Incorrect Penalties – 1 [3points]

 

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
   
·         Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 0

·         Number of Correct Offsides for Liverpool – 0

·         Total Number of Correct Offsides – 0

 

·         Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 0

·         Number of Incorrect Offsides against Liverpool – 0

·         Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 0

 

Goals

Time Goal Scorer Description & Decision Points
   
·         Number of Correct Goals for Arsenal – 0

·         Number of Correct Goals for Liverpool – 0

·         Total Number of Correct Goals – 0

 

·         Number of Incorrect Goals against Arsenal – 0

·         Number of Incorrect Goals against Liverpool – 0

·         Total Number of Incorrect Goals – 0

 

Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins

Time Type Last Touch OFF Description & Decision
45:24 Throw-in Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
46:36 Throw-in Calum Chambers (Arsenal)
46:51 Throw-in Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
47:21 Throw-in Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
50:16 Throw-in Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal)
50:58 Throw-in Emre Can (Liverpool)
51:35 Throw-in Lucas Leiva (Liverpool)
52:10 Corner Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)
52:56 Corner James Milner (Liverpool)
56:50 Goal Kick Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)  
59:32 Goal Kick Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
64:09 Throw-in Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool)
66:15 Throw-in Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal)
68:37 Throw-in Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
69:06 Corner Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool)
72:24 Goal Kick Christian Benteke (Liverpool)
73:25 Throw-in Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
74:35 Throw-in Dejan Lovren (Liverpool)
75:31 Throw-in Dejan Lovren (Liverpool)
75:42 Throw-in Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
76:48 Throw-in Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
77:26 Corner Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
77:49 Corner Calum Chambers (Arsenal)
79:33 Goal Kick Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
81:33 Throw-in Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)
81:50 Goal Kick Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) The ball was over line by the touch of Sanchez. Nothing was awarded by the referee.

NO GOAL KICK FOR LIVERPOOL.

82:26 Throw-in Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
83:29 Corner Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)  
84:01 Goal Kick Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal)
85:04 Throw-in Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)
85:22 Goal Kick Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
89:32 Throw-in Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
89:47 Goal Kick Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal)
91:18 Throw-in Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal)
93:26 Corner Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)
93:56 Goal Kick Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal)
  • Number of Incorrect Goal Kicks against Arsenal – 0
  • Number of Incorrect Goal Kicks against Liverpool – 1
  • Total Number of Incorrect Goal Kicks – 1 [1 points]

Other

Time Type Description & Decision Points
85:55 Head Injury Chambers suffered a leading arm to face from Benteke causing him fall on the floor looking unconscious. Good decision by the referee to stop the game.

 

CORRECT DECSION BY REFEREE TO STOP PLAY DUE TO INJURY FOR ARSENAL.

1 (Injury)
88:13 Head Injury Chamberlain laid down on ground inside the Liverpool’s penalty area after his head made contact with Mignolet’s foot mistakenly.

 

CORRECT DECSION BY REFEREE TO STOP PLAY DUE TO INJURY FOR ARSENAL.

1 (Injury)
·         Number of Other Correct Decisions For Arsenal – 2

·         Number of Other Correct Decisions For Liverpool – 0

·         Total Number of Other Correct Decisions – 2 [2points]

·         Number of Other Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 0

·         Number of Other Incorrect Decisions against Liverpool – 0

·         Total Number of Other Incorrect Decisions – 0

Second Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 8+4+2 = 14

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Liverpool – 1+2+1 = 4

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 14 + 4 = 18

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 8+8+2 = 18

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Liverpool – 1+2+2 = 5

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 18 + 5 = 23

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 2+1+1+1 = 5

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Liverpool – 1

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 5 + 1 = 6

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 2+2+3+3 = 10

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Liverpool – 1

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 10 + 1 = 11

 

Second Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + InCorrect) = 18/(18+6) = 75%
 Second Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + InCorrect) = 23/(23+11) = 67.6%

Full Time (1st Half + 2nd Half) Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 8+14 = 18

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Liverpool – 5+4 = 9

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 18 + 9 = 27

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 8+18 = 26

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Liverpool – 5+5 = 10

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 26 + 10 = 36

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 5+5 = 10

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Liverpool – 0+1 = 1

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 10 + 1 = 11

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 7+10 = 17

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Liverpool – 0+1 = 1

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 17 + 1 = 18

 

 

 Full Match Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + InCorrect) = 27/(27+11) = 71.05%
Full Match Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + InCorrect) = 36/(36+18) = 66.6%

APPENDIX

Key Decisions in the Match Points
Advantage 1
Foul 1
Incorrect Corner 1
Incorrect Goal Kick 1
Incorrect Throw-in 1
Other (Ref Positioning, Injuries, Time Wasting, etc.) 1
Offside 1
Yellow Card 2
Red Card 3
Goal 3
Penalty 3

 

NOTE: FOR ANY WRONG DECISION MADE THERE WILL BE NEGATIVE POINTS AWARDED FOR THAT SPECIFIC KIND OF EVENT.

NOTE: ANY INCORRECT OR WRONG DECISION/NON-DECISION WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED WITH A RED COLOUR.

NOTE: ANY DECISION THAT INVOLVES DOUBT IS HIGHLIGHTED AS BLUE IN COLOR.

NOTE: The word ‘FOR’ is used to show IN FAVOR OF.

BELOW IS THE LINK FOR THE “FIFA LAWS OF THE GAME 2015/2016”. ANY LAW OF THE GAME IS DIRECTLY REFERENCED FROM THIS DOCUMENT.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/Document/FootballDevelopment/Refereeing/02/36/01/11/LawsofthegamewebEN_Neutral.pdf

 

When we look back at this match we see the usual thing we have seen and noticed before from ref Oliver.

His decision making in general can be great. As long as it is outside the penalty area. Inside the penalty area it goes wrong a lot. But that is not just Oliver in the PL.

The big talking point was of course the not given goal. Below a zoomed in picture of the moment the ball was played by Santi. It clearly shows that Ramsey was onside.  (The text continues below – sorry there is a formatting problem with this picture which explains the white space that follows!)

Ramsey onside Liverpool2

I don’t really want to blame Oliver for this. He trusts his assistant to make the right decisions and just follows him. No way a ref can make that call from his position. Neither could the assistant apparently from his almost near perfect position. Do we have previous with this assistant I wonder? But as we have said before the laws seems to be different when Liverpool is talking the field of play this season. Arsenal and Bournemouth have suffered from it already. Mike Riley with his 99% decisions looks a bit foolish one could say. But it is us and Bournemouth who miss out on points in the league table. And that is a bloody shame.

We should have had a penalty in the second half. When Lucas placed his foot late on Giroud and caught his foot. In the field Oliver probably would have given it, but in the penalty area he turned his back on it.

And then we have Mignolet. When he kicked the ball away when the ball boy threw it at him Oliver should have given him a yellow card. Such time wasting is completely against the laws. And there is no need for ‘ a talking ‘ in such a case. The laws and instructions are clear the only punishment is a yellow card. Would Mignolet have carried on as he did till he finally got booked late in the match? I’m not 100% sure but until we have a ref who has the guts to send a keeper of with a double yellow card it will never stop I think.

All in all, some good decisions and some bad. Unfortunately the bad decisions mostly went against Arsenal and cost us points. Again….

Untold Anniversaries

27 August 1988: Steve Bould league debut for Arsenal in 5-1 away defeat of Wimbledon in the opening fixture of the campaign.  Smith got 3 – the only hattrick all season.

27 August 1997: The definitive Bergkamp hat trick at Leicester in a 3-3 draw in the 4th league game of the 2nd Double Season   It was the first hattrick under Arsène Wenger. The second double: part 1, part 2, part 3.

Untold Campaigns

Untold Books

 

36 Replies to “Ref Review: Arsenal – Liverpool”

  1. Oliver is probably the best ref out there. And I think he had a great game. The linesman obviously fucked up for our ‘goal’ though!

    Hopefully we will get back on track vs tha Toon!

    UTA!!.

  2. Pretty damning report, though the Ramsey goal not Olivers fault….some very poor decisions from linesmen already this season.
    Watch out for Liverpool when it comes refs this season, early days, but they seem to be getting the rub of the green, as they did two years ago during the season of Suarez and their 13 penalties, many of them soft in the extreme. There are benefits to being a media darling, especially one from the North West
    Wenger says we should now be approaching our best, hope he is right, we have to get the season going, we face tough opponents…..and maybe the sort of thing described in this review.
    Have a feeling we are very soon going to give someone a real hiding, hopefully… Newcastle.

  3. There were many more incidents & off sides (within the new rules) that were missed because they were not caught on camera. The penalties that were not given because of selective vision are not an assistants call because Oliver had clear vision. The pull & then push on Giroud was clear but not given.

    All taken into consideration, Oliver cheated Arsenal of key decisions. Another 99% PGMO victory for Riley. Oliver chose not to see penalties, just as he chose not to book Mignolet.

  4. Again , great job . Keep it up , guys , somebody might take notice of it as to get it a wider viewing.

  5. Dexter……..I gather you didn’t bother to read the above review? What specifically makes you claim that Oliver is the best EPL referee? What constitutes a great game for you? Honestly in what alternate reality do you live in? Have you EVER officiated or even played the game?

  6. Well done Usama and Walter, another excellent report.

    Once again Oliver of the PGMO has shown that he is not fit to referee a match – I would like to see the PGMO or some of the TV self appointed pundits try to respond to the analysis above. I doubt that either could.

    So far this season, (as with previous seasons), the PGMO wrong decisions have not started to equalise out!

  7. Oliver’s perfrmance and the reaction of pundits highlights the reason the PGMO can get away with bias.

    1) On the face of it the decisions were pretty fair, excpet the REALLY important ones. Anyone watching the flow of the game would probably ‘experience’ what they thoughht was a fair ref, but in reality points were won / lost based on the decisions of the ref, not on the 22 players performances. There were two clear penalties for Arsenal and a legitmate goal chalked off.

    2) These 3 key decisions were discussed, but not at all ‘escalated’ by the media. No big storm over the fact that 3 goals were denied to one team. In fact, the seond penalty where Giroud’s foot is clearly caught knocking him off balance causing him to miss from 6 yards out was not only a penalty but a red card for the defender. Even on the slow motion replays where the foul is clearly seen, the pundits ignored it.

    It’s early days but even after 3 games the truth is Liverpool should have 4 points, not 7 and Arsenal should have 6 points not 4. Thats is a 5 point swing based on refereeing decisions in just 3 matches between two teams. It’s amazing there is not a storm over refereeing and a review taking place right now to try and fix the issue.

  8. Agree Jayram, amazing is the word.
    I guess the reason there isnt more a review is that there are certain teams who regularly get on the wrong end of this, I would imaging the likes of Chelsea, Utd, City and Liverpool would have plenty to say. I personally wish Arsenal would say more, but I wonder if they are just resigned to the status quo.
    This standard of refereeing against us does seem to have deteriorated certainly since Riley being put in place, but I think the problem is twofold, there is not only Riley and those he serves, but we no longer have a David Dein, who had enough power, friends in high places, and guile about him to stop some of this. I know Dein may have had his faults and made enemies, but I do think the club has suffered in some ways with his departure.
    FIF alleged that Utd were suspicious as to how fixtures were drawn up, believing they got too many away games after CL games, sound familiar, fellow Arsenal fans? So apparently they sent their lawyer down to monitor that the fixtures were drawn out fairly. Think Arsenal need to adopt a bit more of that spitir, though I do take into account some clubs just have more influence than Arsenal at the moment.
    Any ref can have a bad day or make a mistake, but how long are the club going to put up with something that looks suspiciously systemic? BUT, that said, we seem to get more of this treatment at the start/ middle of the season, though I am not sure if stats back this up. But maybe just enough bias to derail any real challenge before we are left alone to claim a place in the top 3/4, which if you believe the media critics of the club, is all they really want, and so everyone goes home happy….or something like that!

  9. Champions league: Arsenal are drawn in Group F against Bayern, Olympiakos & Dinamo Zagreb

    No big threats there ;).

    COYG

  10. Oliver obviously didn’t award the penalties we deserved or did he book Mignolet when he should have (the three major incorrect decisions), but I wouldn’t go so far as to say that he deliberately “chose not to” or that “he is not fit to referee a match” as is claimed here, but his uncharacteristic poor performance certainly cost us the full points.

  11. @TailGunner

    “but his uncharacteristic poor performance certainly cost us the full points.”

    “uncharacteristic” – can you substantiate that?

    If you can’t your 5.45 pm post becomes a contradiction!

  12. If Ramsey hadn’t “scored” there wouldn’t be all this brouhaha about the mistaken offside.
    Personally, I feel that the margin was sufficiently fine to accept that a genuine error was made by the linesman.
    What it DOES emphasise though, is the urgent need for video technology to assist match officials to reach correct decisions. 😉

  13. bjtgooner

    I mean that it is uncharacteristic for Oliver to have a poor performance. He’s generally considered to be one of the better referees.

  14. Oliver – the same git whom refused to give a penalty against Manu vs Fulham game!!

    Piece of Shit ref straight from the Mike Riley camp.

  15. Don’t know why Rolf is answering for me, but he’s got my meaning (however badly put).

  16. Now that I’ve managed to stop laughing, let me say well done and keep up the good work, Walter and Usama. Oliver might not have been that awful, but him and his linesman got all the key decisions against us.

  17. I think Rolf is making mischief, but I’m not bothered, it’s hardly identity theft, and if anyone wants to take it up you’ll find that Tony has software that detects a commenters ip so can prevent doubling up.

  18. Bjtgooner

    To get back to the issue of “uncharacteristic “, after following your link in your answer to Rolf, it doesn’t look too wonderful for Oliver, must have been my perception.

  19. @TailGunner

    If indeed you are not rolf then you could try answering the football part of my 6.48 comment.

  20. Hi Untold,

    I am a Gunners fan and read your ref reviews regularly and on the majority of occasions agree wholeheartedly with your assessments. Surprisingly it was a decision that went against Liverpool in the second half that I wonder why you omitted from your assessment on. It appeared at one stage Benteke was held by Gabriel in the box during a corner routine. On replay it looked a 50/50 for a penalty and based on the earlier Giroud reviews in this piece where they were by the letter of the laws pens, I think this one was another.

    I would like to see the refs taken to task for all bad decisions, not just the ones that don’t go Arsenals way.

    Thank you for your time and effort in trying to provide the truth of refereeing bias and/or incompetence but it does need to cover both sides equally fairly. Keep up the good work.

    Brendan (australian gunner)

  21. Omgarsenal

    Jeez you sound like a hysterical fundamentalist Christian whose been told the earth isn’t flat.

    You swallow UA ref reviews if you like, I’m simply giving my personal opinion you retrard

  22. Brendan
    Well spotted on the Gabriel/Benteke struggle. Walter did refer to one incident in which a free kick and yellow card were awarded, but as you say there was a much more serious challenge overlooked in his report.
    This will happen.

  23. And now Dexter answering as Dex

    Some strange things going on.

    According to the ip address Rolf and Tailgunner write in from the same IP address

  24. Brendan,

    Yes I saw that incident. The Gabriel & Benteke incident happened at minute 80:58 but strangely the incident was shown in the replay in the 90th Minute. It was not a penalty for Liverpool because it was Benteke who started the pulling and holding on Gabriel first and then just went down after Gabriel put his hand on Benteke’s back.

    When the cross was delivered Benteke used his right hand to hold and push Gabriel’s head down and then tried to push Gabriel away from the ball. After that just when GAbriel kept his hands on Benteke’s waist and back, Benteke went down in a very exaggerating manner, just falling down after the touch on his back.

    I ignored it because

    1. It was not a foul from Gabriel.
    2. Benteke just fell down for no reason thereby putting an end to this.
    3. I could have given it a has foul for Arsenal due to Benteke’s pushing and pulling, but did not because Gabriel stood his ground and the cross was cleared the moment it came in.

  25. Brendan & TailGunner,

    I have the video footage of the incident with me, but sadly I believe that might cause copyright right issues to Untold Arsenal.

  26. Brendan,

    I go through every single second of the match again and double check every decision with the LAW Book and through Walter. If any decision that goes against Arsenal wrongly I will report it. If any decision that goes against the opponents of Arsenal wrongly, I will report it without any hesitation. The only problem is that the more than 90% of the wrong decisions in every match have been against Arsenal.

    There is nothing more important in football than Fair, Just and Impartial refereeing that I want right now and also the use of video/ video ref or whatever is good for clean decision making. Whenever I see a decision going against Arsenal that is correct I accept it straight away.(although with a little annoyance 🙂 ).

  27. @Usama

    Good response to questions.

    @TailGunner – have you ever been treated for schizophrenia?

  28. How on earth is there no mention of Lovren shove on Giroud. Blatant penalty and red card

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