FURIOUS Arsenal star Ben White let his frustration out by slapping an official’s hand after defeat to Manchester City.
The Gunners were undone in cruel fashion against the Premier League champions with a number of key decisions going against them.
Ben White with the referees after the full-time whistle against Manchester City yesterday.
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After taking a first-half lead, Granit Xhaka was penalised for a tug on Bernardo Silva in the box – while Gabriel was booked twice within three minutes either side of Riyad Mahrez’s equaliser.
Then to top it off, Rodri scored a dramatic winner in the third minute of injury time.
And defender White clearly felt aggrieved as he shook hands with the referees at full-time.
A video taken from the stands posted on social media showed him give a frosty reception to assistant Simon Long and referee Stuart Attwell before taking a needless swipe at Neil Davies’ outstretched hand.
White, 24, then stormed off in a huff back to the dressing room.
And opinions were split among fans on social media – some pleased with the passion showed but others disappointed with his lack of professionalism.
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One said: “I love that boy White. Just the mentality I need from a player.”
Another added: “Future captain.”
But a third wrote: “As much as I love to see this, it’s also very wrong from him – imagine if it was Guendouzi.”
And a final user commented: “Deserves a serious ban for this.”
Arsenal were also angered because Attwell was not told to check the monitor when Ederson challenged Martin Odegaard in the area – despite footage appearing to show the City goalkeeper NOT touch the ball.
Ironically, Davies was not even at the Emirates when that happened after arriving late as a last-minute replacement for Constantine Hatzidakis which saw fourth official Kevin Friend run the line for the first half.
Later on, Attwell was accused of blocking Gabriel Martinelli from taking a shot after getting in the Brazilian’s way.
Gunners shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale blasted the ‘inconsistency’ from the officials, including VAR Jarred Gillet.
ARSENAL FURY
He said: “I am basing it on both penalties – the inconsistency of going to the screen.
“The referee might have ruled it out straight away when he looked at it. But it is the fact he went to look 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.
“The goalkeeper comes out with his foot and he either catches him or the ball.”
Former Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas could not believe Silva got the spot-kick.
He tweeted: “That’s never a pen. Terrible decision.”
Mikel Arteta’s assistant ‘AirPods Albert’ Stuivenberg – in charge on Saturday with the manager isolating – said: “You had the first moment with Odegaard in the first half which I think is a clear penalty, but at least a moment for the referee to check, and then it happened in the second half for their penalty which is not really consistent.”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/football/premier-league/man-utd-agree-to-send-ethan-laird-to-bournemouth-until-end-of-season-after-he-is-recalled-from-swansea-loan-transfer
