Premier League leaders Arsenal have been hit with a fine from the English FA for the second time in as many matches.
THE LOWDOWN: UNJUST SANCTIONS
The Gunners felt hard done by a decision by referee David Coote to dismiss their penalty claims after midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga’s shot appeared to hit Oxford United man Elliott Moore’s hand.
The players surrounded the referee and hounded him for almost a minute of the game but VAR or Coote did not change the decision. In the end, Arsenal won the game comfortably but it apparently came with a price.
This was similar to the way the Arsenal players hounded referee Andy Madley in stoppage time of their Premier League draw against Newcastle United last weekend. In that match, the Gunners felt hard done by Madley and VAR’s decisions to not award them penalty calls on two different occasions.
THE LATEST: QUESTIONABLE CHARGES
The FA gave them till last Tuesday to respond via a statement which read: “Arsenal FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following its Premier League match against Newcastle United FC on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
“It is alleged that Arsenal FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 95th minute, and the club has until Tuesday 10 January 2023 to respond.”
Arsenal’s management were still dealing with the fallout of the charge from the FA thanks to that match which was on the basis of failing to control their players and now they have to deal with another one in as many games thanks to the same incident from their win over Oxford United in the FA Cup at the Kassam Stadium.
An FA statement giving the club until Monday to respond to the charges, read: “Arsenal FC has been charged with breaching FA Rule E20.1 during its tie against Oxford United FC in The FA Cup on Monday 9 January 2023.
“It’s alleged that Arsenal FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 34th minute and the club has until Monday 16 January 2023 to respond.”
THE VERDICT: BIAS AGAINST THE GUNNERS
It is obvious there is some sort of bias against Arsenal as these are basic situations that literally happen in about any football match. It would be interesting to see how the Gunners choose to respond to this.
Before then, however, they will be in action on Sunday against their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, as they look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Spurs have failed to convince under Antonio Conte this season, but their head to head versus their bitter rivals in recent times shows they don’t give way in the derby
They have four wins, two draws and four losses from their last 10 games against the Gunners. All those wins have been at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and there is no evidence that suggests it will be different on Sunday.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are hoping to pull a Premier League double over Spurs for the first time since the 2013/14 season when they beat the Lilywhites in three straight games in the Premier League and FA Cup.
It will be the perfect springboard to their title charge, which has also not happened in over 20 years.