Arsenal warned that Premier League referees are against them
Arsenal has been cautioned that Premier League referees may not be favoring them.
Arsenal’s tactical approach has faced recent scrutiny, with former Premier League referee Peter Walton noting that the club’s “dark arts” are increasingly drawing attention from referees this season. Walton, who officiated in the Premier League for over a decade, highlighted that Arsenal’s strategies—both with and without the ball—are under the spotlight, especially in terms of set-piece tactics and defensive moves.
The Gunners have thrived from set pieces this season, using calculated positioning to give players like Gabriel Magalhães an open path to the ball. Gabriel has scored crucial goals, including decisive ones in the North London derby and a key match against Manchester City, all thanks to these meticulously planned routines.
In an article for The Times, Walton likened Arsenal’s current tactics to those once employed by Chelsea, who gained a reputation for using blocking techniques during set pieces until they drew the attention of referees and the media.
Walton remarked, “Chelsea were skilled at blocking opponents off the ball, but eventually referees and the media began focusing on their tactics. I sense a similar shift happening now with Arsenal’s set pieces.”
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Arsenal’s approach has also faced criticism for what some see as excessively defensive, game-management tactics, especially when protecting a lead with fewer players on the pitch. In a recent matchup against Manchester City, the Gunners fought to hold onto a 2-1 lead while playing with ten men, prompting City’s Bernardo Silva to comment that only one team “came to play football.”
In response, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defended his team’s approach, recalling a defeat at the Etihad in 2021, when Arsenal lost 5-0 after being reduced to ten men.
“We had to play the game we had to play,” Arteta said, pointing out that his players had to adapt to the situation. “In the past, we’ve been in that same situation, and we’d better learn. If not, I would be very thick.”
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Arsenal’s approach has led to disciplinary consequences this season, with referees clamping down on players attempting to delay the game. As a result, the Gunners have seen players sent off in key matches, resulting in dropped points that could prove costly in the title race.
With increased scrutiny from referees, Arteta’s team may need to carefully balance their game management tactics to avoid further disciplinary issues as they push to challenge at the top.