Arsenal fc

Premier League make decision on Arsenal vs Leicester City referee after ‘awful’ verdict

The referee in Arsenal’s late Premier League win against Leicester City is notably absent from Premier League action for the first time this campaign in the upcoming weekend, after receiving criticism for some decisions during the game.

The Gunners came out as 4-2 winners over the Foxes thanks to a late Wilfred Ndidi own goal and a goal from Kai Havertz. After the match, Leicester boss Steve Cooper voiced his displeasure with the officiating, pinpointing ‘two poor decisions’.

The incidents that irked the Leicester manager involved Jamie Vardy being denied a foul by William Saliba prior to Arsenal’s first goal decision that led to bookings for both Vardy and Cooper as they protested. Later Cooper wasn’t happy with Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori not being shown a second yellow for a foul on Facundo Buonanotte.

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Post-match, Cooper expressed his frustration: “We were very disappointed with a foul not being given on Vards for the first goal. And although we don’t come into games trying to get players sent off, why he hasn’t sent off Calafiori is a little bit beyond belief.”

He added: “Because of the spell we’re in – and the spell that I’m in personally – I’m trying to not let referees’ decisions be the headline, as I’m trying to take responsibility for a team that needs to get better results. But we feel those were two poor decisions.”

On Match of the Day, host and Leicester supporter Gary Lineker admitted he ‘found it difficult to disagree’ with Cooper’s grievances regarding the Calafiori incident. Meanwhile, speaking on Premier League Productions, former England striker Alan Shearer labelled the decision to keep the Italian on the pitch as ‘awful’.

Arsenal fans have pointed decisions to not show Oliver Skipp a second yellow card. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also said that the decision not to caution Ndidi for kicking the ball away in the second half was the correct one.

Barrott has been a fixture in Premier League matches this season, either taking charge as the main referee or assisting as the fourth official in every round of fixtures. However, he’s set for a break from the action this weekend.

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