One of the many, many referee decisions that irked Arsene Wenger recently was a penalty awarded to Eden Hazard during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea. Hazard's foot was kicked by Hector Bellerin and after a penalty was awarded he rose to slot the ball past Petr Cech.
Tonight the team's meet again in the League Cup semi-final first leg and VAR denied Arsenal a penalty early in the first-half. It came after Victor Moses' boot caught Maitland-Niles which resulted in some half-hearted appeals for a penalty.
The decision proved controversial on Twitter, with Arsenal's official Twitter account even questioning whether the decision was correct.
Delay while referee Martin Atkinson checks VAR after Maitland-Niles tumbles in a challenge with Moses. Chants of "VAR" from Arsenal fans but no penalty.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) January 10, 2018
Not sure it was a pen but feels like they rushed that VAR chat about the Arsenal penalty appeal. Why didn’t Atkinson look for himself & ask for different angles?
— Adrian Clarke (@adrianjclarke) January 10, 2018
Chelsea literally got a penalty for that the other day! This fucking organisation is something else I tell ya!
— Arsenal (@ffarsenalfc) January 10, 2018
@ThierryHenry @SkySportsPL im confused about the decision!There was contact in the penalty area right?! He fell down therefore it’s a penalty?That’s what everyone said when Hazard got kicked and fell down! Please explain it to me!😱😟#Arsenal #football #CarabaoCup #SkySports
— Stephanie (@Steph_s88) January 10, 2018
🗳 Just after that chance, @Ains_7 went down under Moses' challenge in the box
Do you believe the referee made the right decision to wave play on?#CFCvAFC— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 10, 2018
On the plus side for the Gunners, the player at centre of the controversy, Maitland-Niles has gone on to have a stormer and engaging in a terrific battle with Moses down the left side.
The sides have canceled each other out thus far, with the score at 0-0.
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