A former Premier League referee has criticized the officiating in Arsenal’s goalless draw with Everton, stating that a crucial mistake was made during the match. The referee argued that Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty after Thomas Partey was fouled by an Everton player before the ball was touched. This decision, or lack thereof, has raised doubts about the reliability and consistency of VAR, which chose not to intervene despite the foul being clear in replays, frustrating Arsenal’s players and fans.
Arsenal struggled to take advantage of key moments, and despite Liverpool’s earlier 2-2 draw with Fulham giving them an opportunity to close the gap in the title race, Mikel Arteta’s side extended their goal drought to three matches. Arsenal controlled 75% of possession in the first half but found it difficult to break down Everton’s solid defense. Their best chance came in the 30th minute when Bukayo Saka, assisted by Kai Havertz, set up Martin Ødegaard, but Ødegaard’s left-footed shot was expertly saved by Jordan Pickford.
Everton’s defensive tactics neutralized Arsenal’s attacking threat, and their few attempts on goal, like Abdoulaye Doucouré’s early shot, were easily dealt with. Gabriel, returning from injury, made a crucial clearance to deny Doucouré in the sixth minute. The match ended in a frustrating draw, with Arsenal fans expressing their dissatisfaction through boos.
The result leaves Arsenal six points behind league leaders Liverpool, having played an extra match, and one point behind Chelsea, who have a game in hand. The ongoing VAR controversies have become a major topic of discussion, but Arsenal’s main issue remains their failure to convert dominant performances into wins. With the January transfer window approaching, Arteta and his team will need to address these recurring problems if they wish to stay in the title race. This draw not only underscores Arsenal’s difficulties but also highlights increasing criticism of Premier League officials. The pressure is mounting on both the team and the referees as Arsenal looks to recover.
