Arsenal has been in the spotlight for referee decisions this season, with two red cards and 19 yellow cards issued in just six Premier League games. The incidents involving Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard, both receiving second yellows for delaying the restart, have sparked controversy among fans and pundits.
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, has not been immune to this frustration. In a recent match against Leicester City, he was visibly upset when James Justin prevented Gabriel Martinelli from taking a quick throw-in. Arteta’s reaction, storming down the touchline and gesturing towards the officials, highlighted his displeasure at the lack of punishment for such incidents.
Interestingly, former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho found himself in a similar situation when he placed a laptop screen in front of a camera after a VAR decision disallowed a goal. While Mourinho defended his actions as a means of seeking fair decisions through VAR, it ultimately earned him a yellow card.
Despite the frustrations and controversies, Arteta has managed to avoid bookings this season, in contrast to other coaches like Nuno Espirito Santo and Fabian Hurtzeler, who have been sent off during matches. Arteta’s ability to maintain composure on the sidelines may be attributed to his past touchline ban for accumulating too many cautions last season.
The ongoing inconsistencies in officiating have continued to be a source of frustration for coaches like Arteta. With the season still in its early stages, there is no end in sight to the potential triggers that may test Arteta’s restraint and composure.
In the midst of these challenges, Arsenal fans can still look forward to the upcoming Champions League games, which are available for free to Amazon Prime members. Matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Shakhtar Donetsk can be streamed via Prime Video, offering an exciting opportunity for fans to support their team in European competition.
Overall, while the refereeing controversies may continue to stir emotions among Arsenal’s supporters and coaching staff, finding ways to navigate these challenges with restraint and composure will be crucial for a successful season ahead. As Arteta and his team continue to adapt and grow, the true test will be how they handle adversity and maintain their focus on achieving their goals.
