Ref Review: MU – Arsenal

MANCHESTER UNITED vs. ARSENAL

  • COMPETITION: English Premier League
  • MATCH NO. 12
  • DATE: 19th November 2016
  • VENUE: Old Trafford (Manchester, England)

MATCH OFFICIALS:

REFEREE: Andre Marriner
1st LINESMAN: Simon Beck
2nd LINESMAN: Andy Garratt
4th OFFICIAL: Michael Oliver

First Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
00:38 Ander Herrera (Man United) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Herrera tripped Sanchez from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
03:11 Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Ander Herrera (Man United) El Nenny tried to pull back Herrera from behind by his shoulders.

CORRECT FOUL FOR MAN UNITED.

1 (FOUL)
08:13 Michael Carrick (Man United) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) Carrick pushed Ozil from behind. Arsenal maintained possession.

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR ARSENAL.

1 (ADVANTAGE)
10:10 Juan Mata (Man United) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Mata tripped Monreal from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
10:28 Antonio Valencia (Man United) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Valencia pushed Ramsey from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
14:49 Matteo Darmian (Man United) Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Walcott and Sanchez were on the counter attack when Darmian held Walcott back from behind and brought him down. The referee correctly called a foul.

 

But this also should have been a yellow card against Darmian for committing an attack breaking foul. But no card was given.

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST DARMIAN.

1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

15:38 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Ander Herrera (Man United) Sanchez made a late sliding tackle from behind. Slightly caught Herrera on the ankle. Clear reckless play.

CORRECT FOUL FOR MAN UNITED.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST SANCHEZ.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

24:02 Matteo Darmian (Man United) Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Walcott was making a run forward inside the Man United half when Darmian sticks out his right leg and because of the angle it is unclear if real contact was made, then he clips the left foot of Walcott when he was going down. No 100% evidence if the ref was wrong so give him the benefit of the doubt

 

The referee correctly gave him a yellow card.

 

But this should have been Darmian’s second yellow card and he should have been sent off by now.

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST DARMIAN.

NO RED CARD AGAINST DARMIAN.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

-3 (RED CARD)

27:18 Paul Pogba (Man United) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Pogba tripped Ramsey from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)

 

28:35 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Sanchez tried to receive the ball with his left shoulder but managed to receive it on the upper arm and fell down.

CORRECT FOUL FOR MAN UNITED.

1 (FOUL)
32:04 Matteo Darmian (Man United) Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal) Jenkinson tried to play a pass when Darmian came in with his studs on the shin, with a fully stretched leg towards Jenkinson in front of him. The referee correctly the foul.

 

But this should have been a red card against Darmian for committing serious foul play. But no red card was given.

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO RED CARD AGAINST DARMIAN.

1 (FOUL)

-3 (RED CARD)

34:23 Antonio Valencia (Man United) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Valencia made a run forward with Monreal alongside him. First Valencia first pushes Monreal down on the shoulder which should have been a foul. Second when Monreal stretches forward his arm in front of Valencia there was no foul contact. Third there no was foul contact made Monreal anywhere near the feet or legs of Valencia. Fourth Valencia deliberately goes down without any foul contact. Any four of the above fills the criteria for it to be called it a non-penalty.

 

Valencia Monreal Penalty

Valencia Monreal Penalty002

Valencia Monreal Penalty003

Valencia Monreal Penalty004

 

CORRECT NON-PENALTY FOR ARSENAL.

3 (NON-PENALTY)
35:23 Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Ander Herrera (Man United) Coquelin tripped Herrera from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR MAN UNITED.

1 (FOUL)
39:17 Anthony Martial (Man United) Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) No live footage or replay shown. Assumed correct.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
   
Number of Correct Fouls for Arsenal – 8

Number of Correct Fouls for Man United – 4

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 12 [12 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Man United – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 0

 

Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Advantages for Man United – 0

Total Number of Correct Advantages – 1 [1 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Man United – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Advantages – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Man United – 1

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

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Man United – 0

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

 

Number of Correct Red Cards for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Red Cards for Man United – 0

Total Number of Correct Red Cards – 0

 

Number of Incorrect Red Cards against Arsenal – 2

Number of Incorrect Red Cards against Man United – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Red Cards – 2 [6 points]

Number of Correct Penalties for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Penalties for Man United – 0

Total Number of Correct Penalties – 1 [3 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Penalties against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Penalties against Man United – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Penalties – 0

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
18:33 Paul Pogba (Man United) Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal) Pogba was in an offside position. Assistant Referee Simon Beck made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
30:53 Juan Mata (Man United) Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) Mata was in an offside position. Assistant Referee Simon Beck made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 2

Number of Correct Offsides for Man United – 0

Total Number of Correct Offsides – 2 [2 points]

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Man United –  0

Total Number of Incorrect Offsides –  0

Goals

Time Goal Scorer Description & Decision Points

Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins

Time Type Last Touch OFF Description & Decision

Other

Time Type Description & Decision Points

First Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 8+1+1+1+2 = 13

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Man United – 4+1 = 5

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 13 + 5 = 18

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 8+1+2+3+2 = 16

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Man United – 4+2 = 6

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 16 + 6 = 22

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 1+2 = 3

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Man United – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 3 + 0 = 3

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 2+6 = 8

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Man United – 0

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

 

 

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 18/(18+3) = 85.7%

 

 

First Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 22/(22+8) = 73.3%

 

Second Half

Fouls, Advantages, Cards, and Penalties

Time Foul by Foul For Description & Decision Points
46:44 Paul Pogba (Man United) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Pogba pulled back Sanchez from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
48:08 Anthony Martial (Man United) Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal) Martial charged in to Jenkinson and pushed him away before receiving the ball. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but was not given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)
48:36 Ander Herrera (Man United) Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Herrera ran in to the jump of Monreal from behind and caused Monreal a bad landing.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
49:09 Mohamed El Nenny (Arsenal) Paul Pogba (Man United) El Nenny clipped Pogba’s leg slightly from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR MAN UNITED.

1 (FOUL)
49:29 Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) The shot from Rashford hits the groin region of Mustafi and then later deflects of his arm. Not intentional.

CORRECT NON-PENALTY FOR ARSENAL.

3 (NON-PENALTY)
50:46 Paul Pogba (Man United) Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Pogba pushed Walcott from behind. This should have been a foul for Arsenal but was not given.

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

-1 (FOUL)
50:52 Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Paul Pogba (Man United) Walcott tripped Pogba from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR MAN UNITED.

1 (FOUL)
51:53 Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal) Marcus Rashford (Man United) Rashford turned quickly and Jenkinson made a late sliding tackle and caught Rashford with his second leg slightly recklessly.

 

This should have been a yellow card against Jenkinson for reckless play but was not given.

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR MAN UNITED.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST JENKINSON.

1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

59:25 Ander Herrera (Man United) Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Herrera charged in to Coquelin from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
69:08 Juan Mata (Man United) Mata crossed the field of play and celebrated past the fences with the crowd.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST MATA.

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

74:48 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Juan Mata (Man United) Ramsey tripped Mata from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR MAN UNITED.

1 (FOUL)
77:16 Ander Herrera (Man United) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Herrera pushed Ramsey from behind.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

1 (FOUL)
78:09 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Paul Pogba (Man United) Ramsey prevented Pogba with a sliding tackle from the side. Very slight contact.

CORRECT FOUL FOR MAN UNITED.

1 (FOUL)
82:05 Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal) Paul Pogba (Man United) Pogba was making an off the ball run when Mustafi grabbed and held his arm pulling back. Man United maintained possession.

 

This also should have been a yellow card against Mustafi for deliberately holding off the opponent but no card was given.

 

CORRECT ADVANTAGE PLAYED FOR MAN UNITED.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST MUSTAFI.

1 (ADVANTAGE)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

85:20 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Paul Pogba (Man United) Ramsey made a late and reckless looking standing tackle on Pogba.

CORRECT FOUL FOR MAN UNITED.

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST RAMSEY.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

90:04 Wayne Rooney (Man United) Rooney stretched forward his arm and made an attempt to score from the cross. The referee correct called the foul. Rooney also at the same time showed dissent against the referee.

 

But this should also should have been a yellow card against Rooney for attempting to score a goal with his arm but was not given.

 

Law 12.3 Cautions for Unsporting Behaviour Page 85-86

Handles the ball in an attempt to score a goal (whether or not the attempt is successful) or in unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal.

 

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST ROONEY.

1 (FOUL)

2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

91:47 Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)   Herrera pushed Xhaka from behind which should have been a foul for Arsenal but was not given. From which Xhaka fell down on the ball making contact with his arm, which was the result of Herrera’s push.

 

Xhaka was then also wrongly booked for the wrong foul.

 

Herrera should have been for committing his 5th foul in the total 90 minutes of play. For the course of the 90 minutes 5 normal should be enough to warrant a yellow card.

 

NO FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

WRONG FOUL AGAINST ARSENAL.

WRONG YELLOW CARD AGAINST XHAKA.

NO YELLOW CARD AGAINST HERRERA.

-1 (FOUL)

-1 (FOUL)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

-2 (YELLOW CARD)

 

93:44 Wayne Rooney (Man United) Rooney protested and showed clear dissent for the second time in 3 minutes against the referee and correctly booked.

 

But this should have been his second yellow card of the match and he should have been sent off by now. But no red card was given.

 

CORRECT YELLOW CARD AGAINST ROONEY.

NO RED CARD AGAINST ROONEY.

2 (YELLOW CARD)

3 (RED CARD)

 

94:22 Paul Pogba (Man United) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) Pogba pulled back Ramsey by the head.

CORRECT FOUL FOR ARSENAL.

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

Number of Correct Fouls for Man United – 6

Total Number of Correct Fouls – 12 [12 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Arsenal – 4

Number of Incorrect Fouls against Man United – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Fouls – 4 [4 points]

 

Number of Correct Advantages for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Advantages for Man United – 1

Total Number of Correct Advantages – 1 [1 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Advantages against Man United – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Advantages – 0

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Arsenal – 2

Number of Correct Yellow Cards for Man United – 1

Total Number of Correct Yellow Cards – 3 [6 points]

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Arsenal – 3

Number of Incorrect Yellow Cards against Man United – 2

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

 

Number of Correct Red Cards for Arsenal – 0

Number of Correct Red Cards for Man United – 0

Total Number of Correct Red Cards – 0

 

Number of Incorrect Red Cards against Arsenal – 1

Number of Incorrect Red Cards against Man United – 0

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

Number of Correct Penalties for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Penalties for Man United – 0

Total Number of Correct Penalties – 1 [3 points]

 

Number of Incorrect Penalties against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Penalties against Man United – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Penalties – 0

Offsides

Time Player Offside Defending Player Description & Decision Points
63:22 Wayne Rooney (Man United) Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) Rooney was in an offside position. Assistant Referee Andy Garratt made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
92:30 Paul Pogba (Ma United) Laurent Koscienly (Arsenal) Pogba was in an offside position. Assistant Referee Andy Garratt made the correct call.

CORRECT OFFSIDE FOR ARSENAL.

1 (OFFSIDE)
Number of Correct Offsides for Arsenal – 2

Number of Correct Offsides for Man United – 0

Total Number of Correct Offsides – 2 [2 points]

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Offsides against Man United –  0

Total Number of Incorrect Offsides – 0

Goals

Time Goal Scorer Description & Decision Points
68:01 Juan Mata (Man United) Clean goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR MAN UNITED.

3 (GOAL)
88:35 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Clean goal.

CORRECT GOAL FOR ARSENAL.

3 (GOAL)
Number of Correct Goals for Arsenal – 1

Number of Correct Goals for Man United – 1

Total Number of Correct Goals – 2 [6 points]

Number of Incorrect Goals against Arsenal – 0

Number of Incorrect Goals against Man United – 0

Total Number of Incorrect Goals – 0

Goal Kicks, Corners, and Throw-ins

Time Type Last Touch OFF Description & Decision

Other

Time Type Description & Decision Points

Second Half Referee Report

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 6+2+1+2+1 = 12

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Man United – 6+1+1+1 = 9

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 12 + 9 = 21

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 6+4+3+2+3 = 18

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Man United – 6+1+2+3 = 12

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 18 + 12 = 30

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 4+3+1 = 8

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Man United – 2

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 8 + 2 = 10

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 4+6+3 = 13

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Man United – 4

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 13 + 4 = 17

 

 

 

Second Half Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 21/(21+10) = 67.7%

 

 

Second Half Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 30/(30+17) = 63.8%

 

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

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Arsenal – 13+12 = 25

Total Number of Correct Decisions for Man United – 5+9 = 14

Total Number of Correct Decisions = 25 + 14 = 39

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Arsenal – 16+18 = 34

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) for Man United – 6+12 = 18

Total Number of Correct Decisions (Weighted) = 34 + 18 = 52

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Arsenal – 3+8 = 11

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions against Man United – 0+2 =2

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions = 11 + 2 = 13

 

AFTER POINTS HAVE BEEN WEIGHTED

 

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Arsenal – 8+13 = 21

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) against Man United – 0+4 = 4

Total Number of Incorrect Decisions (Weighted) = 21 + 4 = 25

 

 

 

Full Match Correct Decision Percentage = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 39/(39+13) = 75.0%

 

 

Full Match Correct Decision Percentage (WEIGHTED) = Total Correct Decisions / Total Decisions (Correct + Incorrect) = 52/(52+25) = 67.5%

 

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 FAVOUR OF.

NOTE: All the Laws Of The Game used are referenced directly from the following link. “LAWS OF THE GAME 2016-2017”

http://static-3eb8.kxcdn.com/documents/60/Laws%20of%20the%20Game_16-17_Digital_Eng.pdf

Andre Marriner was the ref. And he had some good moments but also a few weak moments.

The first important decision was a foul from Elneny on Herreira a few meters outside the penalty area. Elneny was running behind Herreira and put his hands on the shoulders of the latter and pushed him. Mata missed the free kick. But that foul becomes more important later on in the match.

Then we enter Darmian card land. The first foul that he should have been booked for was when Arsenal was starting a counter with Theo and Alexis. Darmian came in from behind and was holding Walcott by the arm and didn’t stop till Walcott was well turned upside down. It was stopping the start of a quick counter attack with 3 Arsenal players of whom 2 are known to be very quick and the other one was Özil. And holding your opponent for a longer time brings you a yellow card. So Darmian should have been booked. But wasn’t.

A bit later Walcott raced away from the right flank. Darmian stuck out his right leg and because of the angles we have at our disposal we cannot be 100 % sure if Darmian made contact with the right foot of Walcott. But his leg bent in an unnatural way so we can assume some contact was made. Darmian then to make sure also kicked out against the left foot of Walcott when he was already going down. As we don’t have 100% proof that there was no contact we have to agree with the decision of the ref on the field and also with the yellow card. This should then already be his second yellow card.

And to round off Darmian’s card show we come to minute 32 when he came in with his studs shown and a stretched leg towards Jenkinson on the side line. A fully stretched leg, studs on the shin…. in short this can only bring you a red card. I even would have accepted a second yellow card if the ref wasn’t in the mood to write a long report but this was the moment that United should have been down to 10 man.

The penalty incident then. And now we come back to the Elneny foul again. Because just as Elneny was pushing on the shoulder of Herreira and everyone agreed this was a foul, so was Valencia pushing on the shoulder of Monreal from behind and pushed him down. The laws and instructions are clear that as a ref you should always punish the first foul. So after the Valencia foul there was no penalty foul any more. So the decision from the ref to not give a penalty was correct. If I want to be very precise I could have deducted a point as he should have given a free kick in favour of Arsenal as in the Elneny foul.

For the rest not much of importance in the first half and the score of the ref was 85.7% and 73.3% (Weighted) Very good but weighted score is low due not giving out cards he should have given.

On to the second half. Arsenal was under pressure and it seemed that the ref was also under some kind of pressure. Letting Manchester United players push Arsenal players unpunished on a few occassions. Jenkinson and Walcott as an example.

Jenkinson however was lucky to escape a yellow card when he chopped down Martial close to the corner flag. He tried to stop a cross but with his left leg he took out Martial. That was a wild kick and he should have been booked. But also Mustafi escaped a yellow card later in the match when he was holding off Pogba who tried to run and offer himself for a possible return ball. So two yellow cards, be it to different players not given against Arsenal players.

And then we came to the Rooney-time. I think Rooney didn’t like the fact that Arsenal had equalised and tried to punch a ball towards the Arsenal goal and was rightfully whistled back by the ref for that. But it should have been also a yellow card. And to make matters worse he also was protesting the handball decision in an open way. And yet he didn’t get booked. And he should have been for the handball alone.  A few minutes later however he again was showing dissent and then was booked. So he should have received his marching orders then.

In between the Rooney card show we had an incident where Xhaka was first pushed from behind and then was kicked but no foul was given and then he handled the ball and was penalised and got a yellow card for handball. The ref having a bit of a mist in front of his eyes. As did the assistant who completely missed  the first fouls.

As a result the score in the second half fropped to  67.7% and 63.8% (Weighted) Slightly poor.

The overall score over the 90 minutes was 75.0% and 67.5% (Weighted). Good but weighted, not good.

There were two major correct decisions. 2 non-penalties for Arsenal.

There were three wrong major decisions. Darmian should have been sent off for a second yellow card and later he should have been sent off directly with a red card for serious foul play on Jenkinson. Rooney should have been sent off  for a second yellow card.

The bias score in this match was rather biased one could say. 13 wrong decisions in total and 11 of them against Arsenal and only 2 against Manchester United.  The main point for me is the non-sending off. Having to play 60 minutes with 10 men might have changed this match.

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22 Replies to “Ref Review: MU – Arsenal”

  1. “Valencia made a run forward with Monreal alongside him. First Valencia first pushes Monreal down on the shoulder which should have been a foul. Second when Monreal stretches forward his arm in front of Valencia there was no foul contact”

    It always amazes me how two or more people can look at the same incident and see something different.

    For one, Valencia megged Monreal and turned him around.
    The fact that this wasn’t a clean meg( the ball bounces between Monreal’s legs before going through) might’ve had something to do with Monreal’s losing his footing a bit , or maybe he realized he was beaten for pace and decided to go down before Valencia makes any contact with his shoulder. In any case, both players use their arms at exactly the same time to gain advantage and they both make contact.
    Monreal goes to ground first and Valencia follows.

    For my money, Valencia dives to buy the penalty and the ref rightly doesn’t give it, but to say Monreal was fouled on the play shows lack of basic understanding of the game, willful bias, or both.

  2. It’s about time match officials had sufficient “bottle” in order to deal with the likes of Rooney, aka Yesterday’s Man.
    When he’s not dissenting about being touched, he carries out a match-long irritating and distracting monologue with the referee….and gets away with it.
    A few second yellows would soon get the message to him. 😉

  3. Tom,

    When the ref report week 12 gets published, the clips for this penalty decision will also be there. From four different angles Valencias pressing arm movement on Monreal was clear. And for similar arm pressing and pushing done by El Nenny and Ramsey during the match referee gave fouls.

  4. “For my money, Valencia dives to buy the penalty and the ref rightly doesn’t give it, but to say Monreal was fouled on the play shows lack of basic understanding of the game, willful bias, or both.”

    Very well summarised indeed. And once again it makes you wonder: what if this had taken place at the other end? Any chance of a crystal clear penalty?

    And you are eager to hand out a second yellow to Darmian based on an ASSUMPTION “some contact was made” on Walcott. Ok, you are the bosses…

    Nothing much wrong with the rest of the stuff. I still admire the hard work you guys put in. But it would be nice if you weren’t so easily offended just because someone disagrees with you. Being industrious doesn’t mean your views are correct on every occasion. Having differing convictions shouldn’t lead to getting personal and questioning the “state” of other people.

  5. Usama, an excellent review.

    Re the Valencia incident I agree with your description, with one slight addition – Valencia appeared to aim a back elbow at Monreal, this was part of the push on Monreal’s shoulder – I am not sure if this landed as a blow, or was intended as a blow or if only a push was intended – but it looked as if a blow was the intention.

    I have watched the foul by Darmian on Walcott several times, unfortunately the camera angle does not help, but the way Walcott fell is consistent with a trip from behind. Darmian had no chance of reaching the ball, but Walcott’s left ankle was available.

    As for Rooney – I agree with nicky – he should be carded every time he opens his mouth!

  6. Mr. Dieter, I just read your comment is the previous article that was worthy of high intellect, wisdom, and keen eye. Here I would like to thank you for your admiration of the work done. And also thank you for the unbiased, fair and non-accusing comment.

  7. Whatever the refs did in this game does not matter. The real problem is Wenger. At least ESPN is starting to report on his inabilities to manage his team. Take the blinkers off people, see the problem for what it is. If we have decent players and they are not performing, who is to blame? The commander in chief always has a sign that says “the buck stops here”. We can make excuses as much as we want, but except the truth, Wenger is not getting the best out of a good bunch of players. Its time to go.

  8. Bjtgooner,

    Thanks, Yes the camera angle does not help but when Walcott was going down Darmian also kicked against his left foot. Also as Mr. Dieter the one with high intellect, wisdom, and keen eye suggested, the assumption was made due to two reasons, 1. There was no clear angle for the initial foul from behind 2. Due to that we gave the ref benefit of the doubt.

    Also if Mr. Dieter the one with high intellect, wisdom, and keen eye, had read or gone through previous reviews and reports, there are a lot of the decisions that went against us where the benefit of the doubt has given to the ref due to bad camera angles. Kindly beg your pardon, Mr Dieter for questioning your high intellect, wisdom, and keen eye.

  9. pop

    I am not sure just when you decided to “pop up” and enter the discussion – but if you had been reading ESPN for any length of time you would know that they have been talking nonsense about Arsenal for a very long time.

  10. I’m surprised that Valencia didn’t get a card for the dive as he deserved let alone anything else.

    How on earth anyone can dispute the idea that Darmian should have been sent off is completely beyond me. The studs up challenge is, as stated, a red card offence. To not give a yellow was so clearly bias and would have without doubt received a yellow had he not already had one……….fear of the wrath of Riley I would suggest with some certainty.

  11. btgooner

    I know what you are saying as the press will talk a load of bollocks, but just trying to get the point across. We have not performed at a high level for many years. Tactically we are lacking and only one person is to blame.

  12. Usama

    I suppose it would be too much to ask you to stick to footballing matters. Taking occasional swipes at someone’s arrogance does not imply you have to do it 24/7. And it certainly doesn’t take a “keen eye” to spot incidents that are replayed over and over again.

    You used to be one of the most accomplished and trustworthy contributors on this site. But in a recent turn of the events you’ve become extremely sensitive whenever anyone has the nerve to refer to coincidental inconsistencies in your (and Walter’s) verdicts.

    I’m afraid your “don’t feed the troll” comments highlight the attitude of both of you. The non-AKBs might even call you contemptuous. Who knows?

  13. Goonermikey, i’d say Darmian was aiming for the ball in Jenkinson incident, but then again he should have been off before that…

  14. Dieter,
    the universe is not turning around you. I was talking about another troll that had just poped up.

  15. I agree that Valencia should have had a yellow card for diving (cheating) in an attempt to get a penalty.

  16. Walter

    I’m aware your comment wasn’t directed straight at me because in this case I was demoted to “another troll”. How funny is that? And you don’t need to tell me the universe is not turning around me as we all know it’s turning around poor Mr Wenger and his loyal sectarians.

    I’m looking forward to having much more football-related discussions like these now that we’re all in the same page. Why waste precious time talking about the sports when you can entertain everyone by getting personal?

    Just to make sure: a person seeing things differently = a troll. Right, I’m learning slowly.

  17. Dieter,

    Alright, I have now stopped playing Sarcastaball (my apologies for being super duper politely sarcastic) and lets talk football, and about your thoughts on some decisions in this review.

    ==================================================================================

    Your comment at “dieter, 24/11/2016 at 10:47 am”

    Your question “what if this (the Valencia-Monreal Penalty) had taken place at the other end? Any chance of a crystal clear penalty?

    If this exactly had happened to of our players, it would not have been penalty. And also not a crystal clear penalty. Why? because there was just no foul contact made by the defending player, that is the most conclusive part of the incident.

    The Watmore-Cech Penalty at Sunderland, why was it deemed both by our review and the onfield ref? Because even though Cech made a very slight attempt to reach for the ball and missed, his slightest but clear and conclusive contact from the upper body wobbled and made Watmore lose his balance (who further went to exaggerate his fall, which doesn’t matter at all)

    The Dembele-Koscienly Penalty at Arsenal, why was it deemed correct both by our review and the onfield ref? Because even though it looked like that Dembele was already on his way down or just kicked the ball aside to make sure he comes in to a foul contact, Koscienly’s attempt for a standing tackle, missing the ball and a softest of trip/kick but clear and conclusive was enough for it to be a penalty.

    =============================================================================

    The second thing you discuss is that…
    “And you are eager to hand out a second yellow to Darmian based on an ASSUMPTION “some contact was made” on Walcott.”

    If you have read several other reviews and reports, (I cant link them all here because the comment goes in to moderation if you have more than one link) that on a number of offsides, penalty and fouls for various teams the broadcasts don’t show the best angles or just don’t the replays at all. So we all are at the mercy of TV companies.

    This results us in having no option but to agree with what the decision the onfield ref has made. Because there is just no conclusive proof to use/show/discuss.

    Now, in that specific Darmian foul, Walter has written above. “Darmian stuck out his right leg and because of the angles we have at our disposal we cannot be 100 % sure if Darmian made contact with the right foot of Walcott. But his leg bent in an unnatural way so we can assume some contact was made. Darmian then to make sure also kicked out against the left foot of Walcott when he was already going down. As we don’t have 100% proof that there was no contact we have to agree with the decision of the ref on the field and also with the yellow card. ”

    This was the only replay the TV showed, here it is slowed down. You can not see whether there was any foul contact or not from behind.

    https://gfycat.com/BoldElderlyAffenpinscher#?speed=0.25

  18. I see the weasels have started popping out of their hiding holes and are sniping from behind their aaa screens. Wake up fools and realize that you will NEVER get support for your anti-Wengerian views on UA, particularly since you don’t support them with any factual evidence or rational arguments and also because you are too myopic to see the masthead of UA and continue to try and diss Wenger. We DO NOT blindly support Wenger and criticize his decisions as merited, based on what our reviews and referee assessments show us. That said, we NEVER just ¨pop¨ up out of the sewers and fire off a totally negative and untenable statement about Wenger or any other Arsenal member.

  19. Usama

    Thank you. I believe you. Do you believe me if I tell you my mission is NOT to be a pain in your ass and that I agree with MOST of your calls? I haven’t forgotten the painful decisions which you’ve got absolutely corract – for instance Santi’s second yellow and Per’s red in the infamous Chelsea encounters last season.

    I have no differing opinions on Cech-Watmore or Kos-Dembele. Monreal-Valencia was not a penalty for me, but to claim Nacho was actually fouled is a perception I can’t share. My reasoning is that Valencia played the ball and therefore had the possession while Nacho did nothing else than “harass” the best he could. But a penalty would’ve been harsh as the Ecuadorian went down voluntarily.

    Walcott vs. Darmian; in my opinion the alleged foul on 25th minute is NOT a yellow card offense, regardless of a slight contact let alone no contact at all. My argument is that once we start dishing out cards for (almost) every foul there will be no end to it which in turn will result in nothing positive.

    omgarsenal; I hear you, but I always try to support my views with as rational arguments as I can (except for casual one- or two-liners). And I’m not looking for support. I’m merely presenting a perspective of a long-term supporter, for what it’s worth (i.e. not much). And I do think that AKBs and WOBs should be able to communicate without calling each others sewer rats, weasels or whatever you can come up with.

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