'They do it all the time': Richard Keys says Arsenal have a dirty tactic the 'officials haven't cottoned onto'
Michael Oliver has been told that he made a big error by Richard Keys that helped Arsenal against Manchester City.
Arsenal fans will need at least a week to get over the fact that their side were seconds away from picking up a hard-fought three points against Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal, and this weekend’s performance was evidence of that, as the Gunners continue to be unbeatable for the Citizens.
It was a match full of controversy as Leandro Trossard was given his marching orders for kicking the ball away by Michael Oliver, and he then didn’t even sanction Jeremy Doku for a similar offence.
That wasn’t the only controversy, as Kyle Walker wasn’t happy with the fact that Arsenal played the free-kick before he was in position prior to Riccardo Calafiori‘s goal.
And, Richard Keys thinks that he has spotted another error made by Michael Oliver that also ended up benefitting Arsenal.
Richard Keys claims Arsenal have a dirty tactic
Declan Rice has already been sent off this season for kicking the ball away, so Trossard really should have been more mindful.
And, Richard Keys believes as though Oliver made another error, but this time it benefitted Arsenal.
Speaking on the Richard Keys blog, he stated that Gabriel Magalhaes‘ goal shouldn’t have counted due to Gabriel Martinelli blocking Ederson, which is a dirty tactic they deploy often.
“There’s an argument Arsenal’s second should’ve been disallowed. Ederson is clearly stopped from getting to the corner by two Arsenal ‘blockers’.
“They do it all the time and I’m a little surprised officials haven’t cottoned onto it yet. I thought it was a foul.”
Michael Oliver’s refereeing stats this season
Michael Oliver has already refereed five games so far this season in the Premier League.
The Englishman has dished out 29 yellow cards, which works out at just under six per game game, plus the red card that was dished out to Trossard.
Interestingly, Oliver decided not to send Dominik Szoboszlai off for kicking the ball away when the whistle had gone between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, despite him being on a yellow card like Trossard.
It’s inconsistent decisions like this that really wind up fans up and down the Premier League.
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