The Arsenal goalkeeper blasts the referee for his ‘inconsistency’ in using the touchline screen during the game.
Manchester City extended their incredible winning streak to 11 games by beating Arsenal 2-1 on Saturday. Unlike their recent games, however, the Citizens had to fight to the last minute to clinch the victory.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 31st minute. The hosts had the chance to double their lead later in the first half. However, the referee ignored their calls for a penalty on Martin Odegaard.
Man City scored the equalizer through Riyad Mahrez’s penalty three minutes before the hour-mark. Unlike the case in the first half, the referee checked the touchline screen and awarded the guests the penalty. A red card for Gabriel mounted more pressure on Arsenal, with City scoring the winner in extra time.
What did Ramsdale say?
In a post-match interview, Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale spoke about the referee’s decisions.
He told BT Sport (via Metro): “I am basing it on both penalties – the inconsistency of going to the screen, the referee might have ruled out it straight away when he looked at it
“Both in real time he said no penalty, but only gets told to look at one. Theirs was soft for me but he gets told to look and has given it.
“I am at the other end of the pitch for our penalty shout. The goalkeeper comes out with his foot and he either catches him or the ball. The Bernardo one, he stood him up and it got given. Penalties are penalties, but for us it is getting told to look at the screen.
“Both penalties, I don’t know why the referee is told to see one and not the other. It is there for a reason, go and use it. It is the inconsistency. The whole point is to help the game out, in real time it didn’t look like one and slow it down on a screen and it is given.”
Asked about Gabriel’s red card, Ramsdale responded: “I was so confused, I didn’t see him get the first yellow card,” Ramsdale added. “It changes the game, I think it is harsh. For large periods when down to 10 men, we defended well. It was a lucky break for Rodri and he finished it well.”
Following their defeat against City, Arsenal will face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup’s semi-finals on Thursday.
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