Arsenal fans highlight Xhaka precedent as Palace ‘assault’ leaves Bukayo Saka sidelined
Arsenal’s supporters have flooded to social media this evening, to respond to an incident late in the first-half of the club’s meeting with Crystal Palace.
Auba on target
Mikel Arteta’s men are of course currently locked in action at the Emirates.
In their first outing on the back of the international break, the Gunners welcomed Crystal Palace to North London, for a Premier League derby showdown.
And, as things stand, all is going according to plan for Arsenal.
The hosts lead Palace, overseen by club legend Patrick Vieira, by a goal to nil, owing to a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strike inside ten minutes.
After Nicolas Pepe’s initial effort was well kept out by Vicente Guaita, Aubameyang was on hand to capitalise on the situation, stealing in at the back post to direct a fine left-footed finish home from a tight angle:
Clinical 😰
Guaita did well to save Pepe’s shot but Aubameyang was there to put it away and put #AFC in the lead! 🎯
📺 Watch #ARSCRY live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/pjvjVQOg6M
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 18, 2021
‘Xhaka and it’s red’
As outlined above, though, despite their side currently boasting the advantage in the capital, the Arsenal faithful were less than impressed upon the half-time whistle sounding on Monday night.
This comes on the back of an incident on the stroke of the interval, which left wide-man Bukayo Saka grounded, and in some degree of pain.
As the ball dropped just outside the Gunners’ area, Saka was on hand to complete the clearance.
The English international, though, was then wiped out in the most blatant fashion imaginable, by Palace midfielder James McArthur.
On initial viewing, it appeared as though the Eagles star had simply had his eye on the ball, and was lining up a shot only to strike Saka by accident. Subsequent replays, however, painted a slightly more sinister picture of the situation:
He wasn’t even looking at the ball 💀#CRYARS | @GoonerViews pic.twitter.com/rJKgr8JjrR
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) October 18, 2021
Despite the heavy nature of what has since been described by some as nothing short of ‘assault’, McArthur managed to escape with just a booking, an outcome which has since incensed the Arsenal faithul.
After Saka was forced off at the break, supporters of the hosts flooded to social media, to highlight a precedent involving sidelined midfielder Granit Xhaka:
Picture the Saka tackle but instead of McArthur, Xhaka.. Straight red!!
— Chizitere (@mojizzzle) October 18, 2021
Wonderful. McArthur’s assault has injured Saka and @SkySports didn’t even give it a passing mention. Shambles.
— Maeze (@maez1234) October 18, 2021
#Xhaka does what #Mcarthur did to @BukayoSaka87 and it’s a straight red, im in no doubt #ARSCRY
— The at home gooner (@GoonerArmchair) October 18, 2021
How was that not violent conduct and a red for the foul on Saka? No intention to get the ball, yet if it was Xhaka it would have been a red. Poor decision by Mike Dean and poor by VAR to not overrule. Could have been a lot more damaging than it seemed #AFC
— JBN (@JordanB_N) October 18, 2021
Xhaka has gotten multiple red cards that were less red than what McArthur just did https://t.co/JwOcjp5zX7
— Your reign on the top was short like leprechauns (@LeutrimRexhaj) October 18, 2021
McArthur just committed assault on Saka
— Pundit Dez ⏱ (@DerekTrowell) October 18, 2021
If Xhaka or when Vieira was playing, that’s a red and probably jail time! Proper agenda! #ARSCRY #AFC
— Chris Ross (@chro06) October 18, 2021
Feel like I’ve said this 5 million times; but if Xhaka kicks someone like that, it’s a red card #ARSCRY
— ARSENAL CLUB de FUTBOL (@ClassicArsenal_) October 18, 2021
Is Xhaka had kicked a player like that, Mike Dean would pull out a red.
— Blast from the Arsenal (@blastarsenal) October 18, 2021
@arseblog @gunnerblog If Xhaka does this, not only does he see red but the Premier League orders him drawn and quartered. Fix it, Jesus. pic.twitter.com/HXkziLbPIi
— bulthaus (@bulthaus) October 18, 2021
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Arsenal vs Crystal Palace live streaming: Watch Premier League online
