There’s few things out there funnier than Arsenal fans losing their minds for no reason, but at least they seem to have a legitimate gripe today.
Usually manager Arsene Wenger bears the brunt of the North London faithful’s frustrations after a defeat, but today his load was lightened thanks to a poor decision from the linesman in the 3-1 loss away at Manchester City.
It looked like every Gunners game against a fellow top six club ever, as Arsenal shipped goals to Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Agüero (from a slightly dubious penalty), but a goal from substitute Alexandre Lacazette 25 minutes from time had them right back in the contest.
However, just as it looked like Arsenal were in the ascendency David Silva slipped in behind their defence and while almost everyone in the stadium (including the man himself) believed the Spaniard was offside, the linesman’s flag stayed down.
Silva then put it on a plate for Gabriel Jesus to kill off the tie at 3-1 as the Arsenal defence stood like statues. Pep Guardiola’s men were undoubtedly the better side, but the flag should have went up to deny the goal that sealed it and it’s fair to say Twitter was not a safe place for the linesman in the aftermath:
Not having all this about ‘it’s a tight one so benefit of the doubt’. Off is off. This is off, and bursts Arsenal’s bubble at a crucial time. Game over. pic.twitter.com/VgO0ePcecc
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) November 5, 2017
Disgraceful decision ? https://t.co/hw51TVaxIy
— Ray Parlour (@RealRomfordPele) November 5, 2017
Tell that to your mate Alan Smith on commentary. Think he's due an appointment at Specsavers.
— Luke Young (@LukeyDem) November 5, 2017
Non of this “play to the whistle” bull crap …it was CLEARLY offside , and the linesman KNEW he just didn’t gave it. #Arsenal
— ♛ᴋᴀʀʟ (@N_Karl) November 5, 2017
Well I didn't think that was the worst arsenal performance tbh. But as arsenal fan TV would say, THAT LINESMAN IS A HAMROLL
— omar (@AgentOmarr) November 5, 2017
Arsene Wenger js got an excuse to moan about
In entire international break all the Arsenal fans will moan abt the linesman#MCIARS #AFC pic.twitter.com/vPdNkqNxph
— Freaky ~ DRaval (@_DRaval) November 5, 2017
Arsenal Fans when they see the linesman leave the stadium pic.twitter.com/iKlxrMev2O
— Luke (@ClassicMichy) November 5, 2017
It's bad enough that Sanchez is playing for Manchester City. Now the referee and linesman are too. 14 vs 10. Totally unfair on Arsenal.
— Tushar Bahl (@PureSloth_) November 5, 2017
Even though he was clearly offside, all of Arsenal’s players just stopped and stared at the linesman.
Play to the whistle. So poor. #MCIARS
— JΛY BUCKS ?? (@TheMasterBucks) November 5, 2017
Score all your Premier League bets on PaddyPower.comYes players must play to the whistle but it does not explain horrible decisions by the referee and linesman. Arsenal were robbed. pic.twitter.com/1h0kcKZ9SZ
— Olatunde Bakare (@Backarray) November 5, 2017
