Ref Review: Leicester – Arsenal, good performance from the ref

By Usama and Walter

LEICESTER CITY vs. ARSENAL

  • COMPETITION: English Premier League
  • MATCH NO. 7
  • DATE: 26th September 2015
  • VENUE: King Power Stadium (Leicester, England)

MATCH OFFICIALS:

REFEREE: Craig Pawson
1st LINESMAN: Michael Salisbury
2nd LINESMAN: Gary Beswick
4th OFFICIAL: Robert Madley

First Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
03:48 Hector Bellerin (Arsenal) Wes Morgan (Leicester) Morgan reached to the ball first and cleared it but at the same time Bellerin was also trying to reach the ball. Bellerin was late and tackled Morgan without getting the ball.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

1 (FOUL)
08:36 Shinji Okazaki (Leicester) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Okazaki came from behind towards Ramsey inside the center of the field and tried to reach the ball. But he pushed and tripped Ramsey before getting the ball.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
11:39 Marc Albrighton (Leicester)

 

Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Mertesacker received the ball inside the Arsenal’s Half and turned, when Albrighton tripped him from behind. Arsenal recovered the ball and moved forward as soon as Mertesacker was tripped

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR ARSENAL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)
21:19 Hector Bellerin (Arsenal) Danny Drinkwater (Leicester) Drinkwater headed the ball cleanly when Bellerin raised his foot to shoulder and made slight contact with Drinkwater’s shoulder. Leicester recovered the ball and continued to move forward.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR LEICESTER.

1 (ADVANTAGE)
25:32 Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) Danny Drinkwater (Leicester) Arteta tripped Drinkwater from inside the Leicester’s Half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

1 (FOUL)
34:55 Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Ritchie De Laet (Leicester) De Laet was shielding the ball from Monreal near the corner flag. Suddenly after touch of a hand by Monreal on the back of De Laet, De Laet fell down to the ground in a very exaggerating manner. This was a very clear attempt by De Laet to dive and deceive the referee. This should have been a foul for Arsenal and not for Leicester. Also it should have been a yellow card against De Laet for simulation. But the referee wrongly gave a foul against Arsenal.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 125

Cautions for Unsporting Behaviour

There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour, e.g. if a player:

• Attempts to deceive the referee by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)

 

WRONG FOUL AGAINST ARSENAL.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST RITCHIE DE LAET.

-1 (FOUL)

-1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

36:24 Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Robert Huth (Leicester) Huth ducked a little while trying to head the ball and at the same time came in with slightly high catching the left shoulder of Huth.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

1 (FOUL)

 

 

37:09 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester) A late attempt for tackle by Ramsey inside the Arsenal’s Half. Ramsey slightly caught Schlupp without getting the ball and tripping him in the process.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

1 (FOUL)

 

37:46 Robert Huth (Leicester) Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) After the free kick was delivered in the box Huth first pushed Mertesacker in the back and then pulled his shirt from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

39:00 Shinji Okazaki (Leicester) Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) Just as Koscienly controlled the ball of his head Okazaki came from behind inside the Arsenal’s Half and slightly pushed Koscienly in the back causing him to lose control of the ball.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

41:27 Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) Arteta received the ball inside the Arsenal’s Half and passed it forward, when Mahrez came late tripped him from behind. Arsenal recovered the ball and moved forward as soon as Arteta was tripped.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR ARSENAL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)
42:16 Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) Arteta mistimed his tackle inside the Arsenal’s Half and tackled Mahrez without getting the ball.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

1 (FOUL)

 

43:53 Robert Huth (Leicester) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Sanchez was running forward with continuing a promising attack by Arsenal near the Leicester’s penalty area. Sanchez decided to pass to Walcott when Huth brought down Sanchez from behind with sliding tackle. This resulted in a breakup of Arsenal’s attack. This should have been a foul for Arsenal and a yellow card against Huth for breaking up an attack. None of it was given by the referee

 

Cautions for Unsporting Behaviour

There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour, e.g. if a player:

• Commits in a reckless manner one of the seven offences that incur a direct free kick

• Commits a foul for the tactical purpose of interfering with or breaking up a promising attack

 

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST ROBERT HUTH.

-1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

43:56 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) After De Laet cleared the ball away it hit Sanchez on the upper right arm. It was not an intentional handball, it was more of a accidental one because Sanchez was lying on the ground and could not get up in time.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

1 (FOUL)

 

45:52 Marc Albrighton (Leicester) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) After Bellerin took the throw-in to Ozil, Albrighton came from behind and kept on pulling the left arm of Ozil. This should have been a foul for Arsenal, but was not given by the referee.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)

 

45:57 Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) Shinji Okazaki (Leicester) Just as Okazaki received the pass inside the center of the field Koscienly came from behind and tripped him.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

1 (FOUL)

 

 
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 3

Number of Correct Fouls for Leicester – 7

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 10 [10 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 4

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Leicester – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 4 [4 points]

 

Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 2

Number of Correct Advantages for Leicester – 1

Total Number of Correct Advantages – 3 [3 points]

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Leicester – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Advantages – 0

 

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Leicester – 0

Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 0

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 2

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Leicester – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards – 2 [4 points]

 

 

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
02:47 Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Wes Morgan (Leicester) Walcott was in an offside position when the pass was played.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR LEICESTER.

1 (OFFSIDE)
22:18 Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester) Cazorla was marginally offside when the pass was played.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR LEICESTER.

1 (OFFSIDE)
 
Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Offsides for Leicester – 2

Total Number of Correct Offsides – 2 [2 points]

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Leicester – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 0

 

Goals

Time Goal Scorer Description & Decision Points
12:11 Jamie Vardy (Leicester) Leicester started a counter attack with Vardy curling home from diagonal angle. Clean Goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR LEICESTER.

3 (GOAL)
17:33 Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Cazorla made a through pass to Walcott who not in an offside position and scored a clean goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

3 (GOAL)
32:52 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Sanchez kicked the ball into an empty after a counter attack from Arsenal. Clean Goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

3 (GOAL)
 
Number of Correct Goals for Arsenal – 2

Number of Correct Goals for Leicester – 1

Total Number of Correct Goals – 3 [9 points]

Number of Incorrect Goals against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Goals against Leicester – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Goals – 0

Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins

Time Type Last Touch OFF Description & Decision
00:13 Throw-in Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester)
01:12 Throw-in Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
01:34 Throw-in Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester)
01:59 Goal Kick Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
03:15 Throw-in Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester)
04:36 Corner Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal)
05:24 Goal Kick Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester)
10:02 Goal Kick Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)
11:14 Throw-in Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
15:04 Throw-in Robert Huth (Leicester)
15:18 Corner Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester)
16:31 Throw-in Petr Cech (Arsenal)
21:32 Corner Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
22:58 Throw-in Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
23:27 Throw-in Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal)
25:00 Throw-in Robert Huth (Leicester)
25:19 Throw-in Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
27:24 Throw-in N’Golo Kanté (Leicester)
30:28 Throw-in Robert Huth (Leicester)
31:33 Throw-in Robert Huth (Leicester)
31:58 Throw-in Ritchie De Laet (Leicester)
33:56 Throw-in ?????? (Leicester)
38:26 Goal Kick Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)  
43:18 Goal Kick Marc Albrighton (Leicester)
45:03 Goal Kick Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)
45:36 Throw-in Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester)
46:45 Throw-in Jamie Vardy (Leicester)
 

Other

Time Type Description & Decision Points
   

First Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 3+2+2 = 7

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Leicester – 7+1+2+1 = 11

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 7 + 11 = 18

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 3+2+6 = 11

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Leicester – 7+1+2+3 = 13

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 11 + 13 = 24

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 4+2 = 6

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Leicester – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 6 + 0 = 6

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 4+4 = 8

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

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 8 + 0 = 8

 

 

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 18/(18+6) = 75%

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 24/(24+8) = 75%

Second Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
49:45 Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) N’Golo Kanté (Leicester) Kanté was moving with the ball inside the Leicester’s Half when Arteta came in from the front and tackled and blocked Kanté’s run without getting the ball.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

1 (FOUL)
52:40 Jamie Vardy (Leicester) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) After Monreal intercepted the ball inside Arsenal’s penalty area, Vardy who carrying high momentum from the run slightly collided with Monreal causing him to be slightly off balance, but he stood his ground and moved forward.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR ARSENAL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)
55:10 N’Golo Kanté (Leicester) Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Cazorla was in control of the ball when Kanté charged and pulled Cazorla’s left arm from behind, causing Cazorla to fall down.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
55:36 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester) Sanchez came from behind just outside the Leicester’s penalty area and pushed Schlupp in the back.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

1 (FOUL)
58:42 Danny Drinkwater (Leicester) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Drinkwater tripped Sanchez from behind inside the Arsenal’s Half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
65:43 Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) Mahrez received the ball and turned quickly out maneuvering Arteta who mistimed his tackled and slightly kicked Mahrez, but Mahrez didn’t lose his balance and kept moving forward. The referee correctly played an advantage for Leicester.

 

But considering this Arteta’s fourth foul in the period of 40 minutes, he was constantly and persistent infringing the laws of the game. This should have been a yellow card against Arteta, but the referee did not give a yellow card.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT 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.

 

There is no specific number of infringements which constitutes “persistence” or the presence of a pattern – this is entirely a matter of judgement and must be determined in the context of effective game management.

 

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR LEICESTER.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST ARTETA.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

67:55 Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) Schlupp launched a long ball forward towards the center of the field and Arteta and Mahrez were looking to challenge for it. Mahrez missed the ball and Arteta was looking to turn just as the ball was approaching him. The ball hit the right hand of Arteta just as he was about to turn. The referee correctly gave a foul.

 

The referee also gave a yellow card against Arteta for the handball, and in the light of what was said before this was the correct decision with Arteta having made a number of fouls.

 

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST ARTETA,

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

71:25 Danny Drinkwater (Leicester) Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Walcott was running forward with the ball inside the Leicester’s Half, when Drinkwater came very late from behind and made two foot sliding tackle when caught Walcott on the right leg.

 

LAW 12 FOULS AND MISCONDUCT PAGE 119

Careless, Reckless, Using Excessive Force

“Reckless” means that the player has acted with complete disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, his opponent.

• A player who plays in a reckless manner must be cautioned

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST DRINKWATER.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

73:50 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) Slight trip by Sanchez on Mahrez inside Arsenal’s Half.

CORRECT FOUL FOR LEICESTER.

1 (FOUL)
82:10 Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) Slight push in the back of Mahrez by Ozil inside the Arsenal’s half. Mahrez recovered and moved forward.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR LEICESTER.

1 (ADVANTAGE)
86:23 N’Golo Kanté (Leicester) Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal) Kanté kept on pulling Chamberlain from the body using his hands on the right wing of Leicester.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
90:43 Andrej Kramarić (Leicester) Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) Kramarić pushed Arteta in the back while challenging for the header.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
91:18 Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester) Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) After Arteta headed the ball near Ulloa, Ulloa accidentally caught Arteta in the chest with a knee.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
 
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 6

Number of Correct Fouls for Leicester – 4

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 10 [10 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Leicester – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 0

Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Advantages for Leicester – 2

Total Number of Correct Advantages – 3 [3 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Leicester – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Advantages – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Leicester – 0

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

 

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Leicester – 1

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

 

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
   

 

Goals

Time Goal Scorer Description & Decision Points
56:54 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Ozil picked a pass and Sanchez headed it in. No offside involved. Clean Goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

3 (GOAL)
80:14 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Sanchez took a long shot from around 20-25 yards out and scored.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

3 (GOAL)
88:12 Jamie Vardy (Leicester) Vardy took shot on goal from inside the box and scored. Clean Goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR LEICESTER.

3 (GOAL)
92:41 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Monreal picked a pass and Sanchez headed it in. No offside involved. Clean Goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

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

Number of Correct Goals for Leicester – 1

Total Number of Correct Goals – 4 [12 points]

Number of Incorrect Goals against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Goals against Leicester – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Goals – 0

Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins

Time Type Last Touch OFF Description & Decision
45:42 Throw-in Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal)
46:35 Throw-in Wes Morgan (Leicester)
47:22 Goal Kick Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
49:06 Throw-in Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)
50:40 Throw-in Jamie Vardy (Leicester)
51:06 Throw-in Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
51:48 Corner Robert Huth (Leicester)
53:31 Corner Ritchie De Laet (Leicester)
54:25 Throw-in Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
57:59 Throw-in Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)  
58:19 Throw-in Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
60:03 Goal Kick Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
60:30 Throw-in Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
63:02 Corner Ritchie De Laet (Leicester)
64:37 Corner Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal)
65:10 Goal Kick Andy King (Leicester)
66:49 Goal Kick N’Golo Kanté (Leicester)
67:25 Throw-in Ritchie De Laet (Leicester)
68:42 Throw-in Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester)
70:19 Throw-in Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
72:50 Goal Kick Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
75:17 Corner Robert Huth (Leicester)
75:52 Goal Kick Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
77:05 Goal Kick Jamie Vardy (Leicester)
78:20 Throw-in Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
78:46 Throw-in Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
79:25 Throw-in Ritchie De Laet (Leicester)
81:23 Goal Kick Ritchie De Laet (Leicester)  
82:23 Goal Kick Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)
83:11 Corner Petr Cech (Arsenal)
84:13 Corner Petr Cech (Arsenal)
84:31 Throw-in Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
85:21 Throw-in Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal)
85:37 Corner Per Mertesacker (Arsenal)
86:01 Goal Kick Wes Morgan (Leicester)
87:15 Throw-in Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)
90:28 Goal Kick Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
94:02 Throw-in Andy King (Leicester)


Second Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 6+1+1+3 = 11

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Leicester – 4+2+1 = 7

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 11 + 7 = 18

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 6+1+2+9 = 18

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Leicester – 4+2+3 = 9

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 18 + 9 = 27

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Leicester – 1

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 0 + 1 = 1

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

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

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Leicester – 2

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 0 + 2 = 2

 

 

 Second Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 18/(18+1) = 95%

 

 Second Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 27/(27+2) = 93.1%

 

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

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 7+11 = 18

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Leicester – 11+7= 18

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 18 + 18 = 36

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 11+18 = 29

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Leicester – 13+9 = 22

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 29 + 22 = 51

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 6+0 = 6

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

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 6 + 1 = 7

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 8+0 = 8

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Leicester – 0+2 = 2

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 8 + 2 = 10

 

 

 

Full Match Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 36/(36+7) = 83.7%

 

Full Match Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 51/(51+10) = 83.6%

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

 We haven’t seen ref Pawson a lot and based on this report if Mike Riley reads it he will probably have a strong word with Mr. Pawson or send him not to Arsenal matches in the near future.

All in all a not disastrous first half of the ref. As it was a match mostly played in the right spirit and with not that many fouls it has to be said that each error counts more than in a match that has lots of fouls and decisions. The first mistake from the ref could be found even beyond the half hour mark. De Laet then decided to go lying on the floor when he was shielding a ball and Monreal was in his back. Being in someone’s back is not a foul but the ref gave in to the pressure of the crowd I think and gave a free kick to Leicester. It was a dive in fact and as a result should have been given the other way round and a yellow card for trying to deceive the ref. A costly decision for the ref.

Huth bringing down Alexis just before half time was also a wrong decision from the ref. And as it was a promising attack should have been a yellow card also.

Those errors gave him a first half score of 75%. Not great that but not disastrous also and no real big wrong decisions.

The second half the game still was played in a good spirit and the ref even stepping up.

Arteta escaped a booking for persistent fouling (4 fouls in half an hour or so) but then minutes later when he made a handball he got his card. The handball itself was more a mistimed attempted chest control but as that was his 5th foul a yellow card can be called correct. The not given yellow card for Arteta was when he tried to stop Mahrez in the Leicester half but the ref gave a good advantage as the Leicester player stayed on his feet and had some space in front of him to run in.

And that was about it from decisions that can be called wrong or doubtful from the ref in the second half. So a real good second half performance. And that gave him a second half score of 95%! The Mike Riley score one could say. If we put weight on the decisions he still gets a great 93.1% score.

If we look at the whole match the score for the ref was 83.7% and if we put weight on it the score almost remains the same with 83.6%.

So all in all a good score from the ref. Minor mistakes were made but non of the mistakes were crucial for the outcome of the match. And that is the way we like to see it. We can live with errors, but please get the big decisions correct that is what we want.  And that is what ref Pawson did and therefore he deserves some credit.

Two more anniversaries from today

  • 5 October 1923: Albert Sigurður Guðmundsson – the Arsenal player who became Icelandic Minister of Finance, was born.
  • 5 October 1925: The new WM plus zonal marking high speed counter attack system played for the first time in a 4-0 victory over West Ham.  It was gradually refined as players were found who could exactly meet the demands of the new system

13 Replies to “Ref Review: Leicester – Arsenal, good performance from the ref”

  1. This is good news in contrast to the anti Arsenal refereeing we’d been witnessing in Arsenal games by most of the Pgmo’s match day officials. Now, please allow me to go into a matter I considered to be of importance ahead of schedule. The Boss will do ROTATION!!! He has no choice but do it for the Watford game ahead of our home big game against Bayern Munich. And I think this rotation will be a wholesale one. I am giving this notice to the Gunners 2nd XI that will likely start this Watford game to start preparing themselves ahead of time since most of them that started the Capital One Cup game at Spurs that could be involved in this games, aren’t going for the international games. They must remain in daily training at London Colney to be fully prepared mentally, morally, technically and tactically to enabled them to collect all the 3 points that will be at stake at Watford. The Gunners 1st XI that started our Leicester away game and our home game against Man Utd will take a match rest after returning from the international games before they undertake Bayern Munich. Therefore, the Gunners 2nd XI who are almost as good as their 1st XI, MUST be fully ready to do the job excellently. A word is enough for the wise.

  2. I disagree with the adjudged wrong decision not to card Arteta at minute 65:43. As you indicate, the law says:

    “There is no specific number of infringements which constitutes “persistence” or the presence of a pattern – this is entirely a matter of judgement and must be determined in the context of effective game management.”

    Considering the referee did issue a yellow to Arteta in minute 67:55, I would argue the referee deemed Arteta’s persistent fouling worthy of a caution at this point, therefore his decision at the previous foul should not be considered incorrect.

    Alternatively, if you insist the referee should have issued a yellow at 65:43, then the yellow at 67:55 should be a second yellow and therefore a red card.

  3. Kentetsu,

    If you had watched the games against Newcastle and Chelsea you would have seen that the players that got booked for persistent fouling in those games committed 4 number of fouls in and around 60 minutes of period. By using that as a standard, Arteta should been have booked in 65:43.

    But as Arteta committed a 5th foul, the ref booked him correctly for persistent fouling, but was late in his decision. This was not a second yellow card for which he should have been sent off.

    Because Arteta committed a yellow card offence at 65:43 and then at 67:55 there was no yellow card offence but a late decision by the referee to give a yellow card for persistent infringement which should have been given earlier in the game.

  4. I should take the blame for the not clear indicating of these two incidents. I changed the review a bit but didn’t do a proper enough job.
    Sorry for that.

    When the yellow card was given it was correct in the way that the ref punished him for several fouls. One of them was not given as there was an advantage. But looking inside the head of the ref (impossible I know) I can imagine him thinking: that player will be booked on his next foul now. That was a rather every day handball, nothing special but still it was a foul and thus the ref gave a yellow card.
    The handball itself didn’t warrant a yellow card, but the by then persistent fouling did.

  5. Nice review, Usama and Walter. One of the things it makes apparent is that there were comparatively few fouls and several correct advantages, and given that the game was played in good spirits, it makes all the sense in the world, also helping with the flow of the game, thus making it all the more pleasant. If only all opponents and refs could approach games this way…

  6. Usama and Walter –
    Thanks for your hard work. Both sides came to play football and Pawson let them. This ref seemed to be neutral; a few minor things here and there but, as you pointed out, no wrong major decisions. He wasn’t a factor in the result and that’s how it should be.

  7. Usama, Walter. Thank you both for your response.
    I do not pay attention to the number of fouls by a particular player – other than a general impression it is the same player over and over. Apparently, four fouls is usually sufficient to be deemed persistent and issue a yellow, which clarifies the way you reviewed Pawson’s performance. Thank you.

  8. Amazing work, Usama and Walter.

    I have a question, though. Wasn’t Cech knocked down in the goal mouth just after he made a save before Vardy scored his second goal? He got up again but wasn’t that a foul? Vardy scored pretty well straight after that.

  9. Pat,
    It was more an unlucky follow up one could say. Cech made a save, the Leicester player was running behind the ball and they came together. It had an impact on Cech maybe but the Leicester player also couldn’t dissapear in thin air at the moment. If he had really held him down for while it would have been a foul. But now it was more bumping and both players scrambling to get up as quickly as possible.

  10. Another excellent report. Pawson was much better than the normal PGMO rep, but still made errors largely in Leicester’s favour – still maintaining the anti Arsenal trend required by his peers.

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