Arsenal vs Manchester United goal allowed by VAR: Fair play? Should the Ref whistle? Twitter reaction
In one of the weirdest streaks you’ll see in the Premier League this year, Arsenal scored the opening goal against Manchester United on Thursday with the goalkeeper on the line in a fetal position, with his back turned to play. fight.
Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe scored into a virtual empty net, but referee Martin Atkinson initially disallowed the goal. Supposedly Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea was at fault.
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But the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) examined the game and found that De Gea was indeed conceded by his teammate Fred and immediately went down in agony, turning his back on the action. And because the referee didn’t blow the final whistle, VAR warned the referee and the goal was allowed to stand still.
Watch the play below:
Did Arsenal play fair?
Arsenal did nothing wrong in play and had the right to continue playing and take the shot.
While under no obligation to do so, the Gunners can also kick the ball out to let De Gea be dealt with rather than hitting the blocked goal.
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Some on social media made the argument that Arsenal should have let Man United go on the pitch and score it because of good sportsmanship. That didn’t happen.
Many also criticized De Gea for going down too easily and not trying to watch the game, at least giving himself a chance to save if he could save.
Should the referee blow the whistle to play dead?
Referees are under no obligation to blow the whistle, except in the case of head injuries, when players are allowed immediate treatment.
But the referee also had full discretion to blow the game to death and Atkinson probably would have done so if he had had more time.
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“Normally when the ‘keeper comes down we should stop the game, but mistakes happen,” United midfielder Bruno Fernandes said after the game. “The players fouled. I don’t know if the referee made a foul or not.”
You can’t help but wonder if the referee had this situation in mind when Arsenal yelled the penalty right before half-time. Video replays showed defender Harry Maguire handing Takehiro Tomiyasu to the ground, but there was no whistle and it was VAR who had no choice but to allow Arsenal’s goal to not signal an obvious error.
The debate around this goal will continue for the next few days, at least if the social media reaction is any indication:
Fair play does not exist then?
– Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) December 2, 2021
The annoying thing is that Atkinson was about to blow the whistle and then didn’t mind
– Si Lloyd (@ SmnLlyd5) December 2, 2021
It certainly hurts when Fred is on his ankle, but De Gea has to do all he can to hold on until the ball goes out. Can’t be that bad if he’s up after a minute. Not sure how United can argue a goal that should have been untenable.
– Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) December 2, 2021
I tell you what, Smith Rowe was lucky that Gary Neville or Roy Keane wasn’t playing. he will be treated strictly if any.
– Muhammad Butt (@muhammadbutt) December 2, 2021
Your goalkeeper has to have at least one dislocation to go down like that, there, with all that going on.
– Rupert Fryer (@Rupert_Fryer) December 2, 2021
Being stepped on with his shoes clearly hurt, but this man lay down and faced the crowd in a fetal position. https://t.co/zgSLRMYEIk
– Mark Yesilevskiy (@MarkWhyy) December 2, 2021
Fred fouled De Gea. United players protested. I’m crying
– Renato (@rehnato) December 2, 2021
Yes, sorry Manchester United. No whistle. And you can’t foul/injure your keeper to stop the chance. #Arsenal exact target. VAR seems to have done the job.
– Short fuse (@TheShortFuse) December 2, 2021
Remember Bielsa and Leeds United, the morally right football club of the world, netting at home in these circumstances? And none of the fans, especially myself in the north stand, disagreed with that one bit.
– Amitai Wine House (@awinehouse1) December 2, 2021
I will let Man U run to the other end and score
– (@ Towno10) December 2, 2021
Fred fouling his keeper to let Arsenal score is absolutely next level Fred
– Football Ramble (@FootballRamble) December 2, 2021
I was surprised when it came out – there was no legal reason for not bringing it up, but Atkinson should 100% have been blown away watching De Gea fall. He didn’t. He waited to see what would happen. Once it happened, he couldn’t help but let it happen. Really poor refing, but right from VAR
– Jonny Singer (@Jonny_Singer) December 2, 2021
It was a curious goal but one of the easiest to call a referee with VAR assistance.
– Alvaro Romeo (@Alvaro_Romeo) December 2, 2021
Just when you think the mayhem at Man United couldn’t get any worse, they went and outdid themselves.
– Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) December 2, 2021
There is no way that the target should not stand. Atkinson did a great job and VAR I guess. 100% right decision #MUNARS
– Liam Drury (@liamdrury4) December 2, 2021