Arsenal fans have been left incensed across social media after Michael Oliver decided against booking Rasmus Hojlund for kicking the ball away in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
The moment in question occurred in the 36th minute of what was an entertaining – albeit goalless – first half between United and top-of-the-table Liverpool at Anfield.
After United midfielder Manuel Ugarte was pulled up for a foul on Luis Dias, Hojlund was seen poking the ball away from Virgil van Dijk, who appeared to be readying himself for a quick free-kick.
But referee Oliver overlooked Hojlund display of petulance, with the young Denmark striker perhaps fortunate to go unpunished for delaying the restart.
United full-back Diogo Dalot was the only player with his name in the book when the half-time whistle was blown after his yellow card in the 23rd minute on Merseyside.
Many Arsenal supporters watching the game were immediately taken back to their trip to champions Manchester City earlier this season, when the same official showed Trossard a second yellow card for a similar action.
A tug on Savinho’s shirt saw Trossard receive his first booking back in September and Oliver brandished a second when the Belgian fired the ball away after an Arsenal foul in the dying moments of a dramatic opening period.
City would go on to rescue a point thanks to John Stones’ late heroics at the Etihad and Mikel Arteta made his feelings clear when facing the media in the immediate aftermath.
‘We were more efficient and went 2-1 up and then there were two incidents, very similar, one in particular, but had a very different outcome which then forces you to have a game which nobody wants to watch,’ the Arsenal boss told reporters.
‘I think it’s very clear. Very obvious. Hopefully what 100 per cent of what people thinks. It’s not my job to come here and judge what happened.
‘My job is to survive in the most difficult environment you can throw in football for 55 minutes. And try to get things done to survive. That’s my job, the rest is not my job.’
According to Arteta, Trossard’s sending off left Arsenal with an ‘impossible’ task against Pep Guardiola’s side.
‘Anyone that has played football or any sport [can see] it’s less than a second. Less than a second. The previous one [Jeremy Doku] is more than a second. That’s it, simple,’ the Spaniard added.
‘It’s impossible. It’s very hard already against 11 players, impossible. Because we are put under pressure to defend with six in our box time and time and time after time. That’s it.’
After Hojlund managed to swerve a booking at Anfield, Arsenal fans flocked to social media to voice their anger, pointing out Oliver’s apparent lack of consistency.
‘Michael Oliver, who controversially sent Leandro Trossard off vs Manchester City, doesn’t give Rasmus Hojlund a yellow card for the same offence vs Liverpool. Consistency…,’ @DailyAFC wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘Hojlund just delayed the restart and Michael Oliver the same referee who sent Trossard off for it does nothing [two laughing emojis],’ @bekeeszn said.
‘HOJLUND KICKED THE BALL AWAY!!?? Of course Michael Oliver does nothing about it,’ @CailumAFC tweeted.
‘Michael Oliver literally just watched Hojlund kick the ball away there and gave no yellow He couldn’t wait to book Trossard in the City game,’ @OlliemAFC wrote.
‘Michael Oliver sent Trossard off for allegedly delaying restart against Man City but look at him here,’ @Nkabuije wrote.
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