The 'joke' referee decision which could cost Arsenal and Mikel Arteta in the title race
The refereeing calls in Arsenal's match in Sunderland and the thoughts of our Seeing Red podcast hosts(Image: Rich Linley - CameraSport via Getty Images)
It has been a bad week for Pro Ref, the organisation in charge of the officiating in English football. Arsenal and Manchester United were on the receiving end of widely agreed bad decisions by John Brooks and the VAR team at Old Trafford, respectively.
Where the Gunners still managed to secure victory in Sunderland, Man United were not so fortunate, being beaten by their city rivals despite having a man advantage. Our Seeing Red podcast hosts Tom Canton and John Cross were at both matches and so had the best view of the incidents and the context around the games.
Each were discussed on the latest episode of the podcast. The consensus was clear that these were a stain on the game and that something needs to be done to ensure the future of officiating in this country.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Below is what the pair had to say on the respective incidents in both games.
Canton said of the scenarios: “I think it's a serious quality issue and a consistent lack of accountability, that there is not enough done to A, support referees in terms of giving them the accountability, the feedback, the level that's needed to make sure that you keep the highest of standards. And B, I think there needs to be more ownership of those errors, because I don't think it happens from what we see every single week, and the volume of errors that we see, there isn't enough acceptance of those errors.
“We're seeing referees hop onto podcasts and say the most ridiculous of things. I felt that John Brooks refereed the game incredibly emotionally at Sunderland. I think Arsenal annoyed him, to be honest.
“I think Arsenal annoyed him with some of their antics. And I think that Arteta going outside his box, getting booked, Gabriel probably being a little bit cheeky, feigning injury, but he felt like he'd been hit in the face, went down, and Brooks came over and said, ‘You've got to go off now for one minute.’ There was a throw that Calafiori took that he was punished for taking too long.
“And that's the first time I've ever seen that rule implemented. And I think that built up to when the decision came and the duel happened in the box between Ballard and Konsa.
“I think Arsenal had irritated Brooks so much by what they'd done before that, that kind of common sense went out the window. Emotion took over and he thought, I'm giving this.”
And of the Manchester derby incident, Cross said: “The goal is an absolute joke. It's a joke. And I'm sorry, it does impact. This is an Arsenal podcast, and it does impact the rest of the league, including Arsenal, because City are now four for four, and it's ludicrous.
“I thought on first glimpse that Haaland was so far offside, absolutely miles offside when the ball comes in. So please don't get me wrong, right? This is the value of VAR, and well, we need video technology because Haaland was a smidge onside, but that's not the point.
“Enzo Fernandez is so far ahead of the play. Lisandro Martinez has to then chase back because he has to be aware of that player in there. And then I think Fernandez clearly impacts upon Martinez's ability to clear and deal with the ball and even see the ball, frankly.
“I mean, it's just so obvious to me. It was so obvious that I actually think, and I'm someone who does get into the match centre and say, ‘Oh, can you explain?’ and then get onto Pro Ref, if you like, to just check the facts and be thorough. It was just so obvious to me that it was a mistake.
“I was thinking, what am I missing? I must be missing something. I just couldn't understand how the goal was standing, and I kind of failed my match report when I was saying it, and just, I just couldn't get it.
“I just couldn't get my head around it. I was thinking, was there a touch or just a deflection that, and I'm thinking, what have I missed? What have I missed?
“Because honestly, how many times have we seen these, for ones not as clear as that, about interfering with play? It was mind-blowing.”
You can watch the latest episodes of the podcast on the Seeing Red YouTube channel or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Tom Canton joined football.london as the Arsenal Fan Brand Writer and Presenter before becoming a permanent Arsenal Reporter in 2025. Tom produces plenty of analytical content in addition to breaking stories and is a regular attendee at matches and press conferences. Can also be found on YouTube @TheGoonerTalkTV
Choose Football London as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.