IAN WRIGHT was left perplexed by Stuart Attwell’s actions that saw the referee ruin a glorious goal scoring chance for Arsenal.
With the score level at 1-1 in their New Year’s Day corker with Man City, Nathan Ake cleared the ball off the line.
The ball went straight to Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli, but the the Arsenal man blazed the chance wide.
However, replays showed that the Brazilian striker was impeded by Attwell.
The official bizarrely sprinted into the box as the action unfolded, and had to dart out of Martinelli’s way at the last moment.
Arsenal legend Wright was utterly bemused.
Speaking on Match of the Day, he said: “Can someone explain to me, why is the ref trying to get into the box quicker than Gabriel [Martinelli].
“He [the ref] has to get out of the way. He’s in his way!”
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Gary Lineker quipped about Attwell’s actions: “He’s made a better run”.
The officials endured a torrid afternoon with two VAR calls causing huge controversy.
In the first half, Martin Odegaard was taken down by Ederson and with replays inconclusive on whether he got the ball or the man first, the Man City keeper escaped a review.
But Granit Xhaka was not so fortunate, with VAR asking Attwell to look at a foul on Bernardo Silva which ultimately led to a penalty and an equaliser for Man City.
Attwell then shortly after gave Arsenal defender Gabriel his marching orders after a quickfire pair of yellow cards.
Arsenal fans’ misery was only compounded when Rodri scored an injury time winner, with superfan Piers Morgan saying he was “smashing his head against a wall”.
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