The focus on Saturday’s early victory saw Arsenal face several lines of narrative regarding their celebrations, top four implications and reaction to tackles and yellow cards of their own. The 1-0 away win at Villa Park was a hard-fought three points but was soured by a continuation of poor officiating from referees.
The officiating of Arsenal’s matches has become an infuriating fiasco for Gunners supporters. Penalties not being given, red cards not brandished to rival players for equal challenges that have seen Arsenal players sent off for similar actions and behaviour profiling of the team.
Granit Xhaka has faced this more than most. The Swiss international has been sent off on numerous occasions, twice this season already. However, the weekend witnessed referee Andrew Madley give Xhaka a yellow card pointing to the reasoning being three challenges accumulating to the sanction.
