It’s a fair complaint
Arsenal fans were left livid after Aymeric Laporte was sent off in a match the Gunners weren’t even playing in.
Laporte’s red card came after he pulled down Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, who would have had a clean run through on goal had the Spaniard not committed the challenge.
The red card left Pep Guardiola’s City side a goal and a man down at half-time, and many Arsenal fans believe they should have been given a similar advantage to Palace after Jonny Evans made a similar challenge during the early kick-off.
The controversial incident occurred as Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang spun past the Leicester defender before being pulled to the ground in an almost identical tangle to the situation involving Zaha and Laporte.
https://twitter.com/PoorEPLreferees/status/1454437358028435468
Arsenal supporting journalist Philippe Auclair was one of many fans to highlight the lack of consistency in the refereeing across these two matches, saying: “Red card for Laporte rugby-tackling Zaha, but yellow for Evans doing the same against Aubameyang, in almost identical circumstances (position on pitch, defensive cover, etc). Some clarification is needed.”
Red card for Laporte rugby-tackling Zaha, but yellow for Evans doing the same against Aubameyang, in almost identical circumstances (position on pitch, defensive cover, etc). Some clarification is needed.
— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) October 30, 2021
Laporte's red is the same tackle Evans did on Aubameyang which was deemed a yellow. Crazy lack of consistency within EPL refs.
I'd say yellow sha.— Appahcinno ✌_😎 (@Appahcinno) October 30, 2021
Laporte sending off identical to the foul on Aubameyang…. Only a yellow to Evans.. Am I surprised? Not at all
— Stian (@SBeurling) October 30, 2021
Aymeric Laporte has just been rightfully sent off for the exact same challenge Jonny Evans made on Aubameyang.
— Nadeem (@AFC_Nadeem44) October 30, 2021
#PremierLeague: These referees have a funny way of interpreting the rules of the game, why is Laporte's action a red card but Leicester's Jonny Evans foul on Aubameyang wasn't a red card? Someone help me to understand this, please! pic.twitter.com/i0PjdmNXdw
— Eric E Murangwa MBE (@e_murangwa) October 30, 2021
You get the idea.
All fans are biased to some extent, but looking at the two incidents it is hard not to sympathise with the Arsenal fans.
Luckily for them, they won 2-0 anyway, thanks to two excellent, early goals from Gabriel and Emile Smith Rowe.
Disgustingly good finish from Emile Smith Rowe for this goal. What a talent 🙌 pic.twitter.com/P2gDoJPCx2
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) October 30, 2021
The result could have been very different though, had it not been for numerous heroic saves from Aaron Ramsdale, who looks to have more than justified his £24 million fee in recent performances. The blow save was was just one example of several impressive stops he made against the Foxes.
Still not over this Ramsdale save 🤯 pic.twitter.com/q9CVxu2pXV
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) October 30, 2021
