Arsenal fans have claimed conspiracy after Bruno Fernandes' free-kick sailed over an Arsenal backline that seemed too far back from the ball
19:31, 09 Mar 2025Updated 19:34, 09 Mar 2025
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (8) scores his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, March 9, 2025
Bruno Fernandes scored from a free-kick(Image: AP)
Arsenal fans have claimed conspiracy over Manchester United's opener in their 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon.
Bruno Fernandes produced a stunning free kick on the stroke of half-time - although Arsenal fans pointed the finger at David Raya's positioning.
However, as the dust settled, Gunners fans started to notice something else wrong with the free-kick. "The Arsenal wall was 11.2 yards out when the free-kick was taken. Anthony Taylor took 11 steps, not 10. Great ref..."
"Anthony Taylor completely unable to get a free-kick wall correct shows everything you need to know about him as a referee," a second said.
And another added: "11.2 yards is 10.24 meters. Anthony Taylor paced it out at 11 steps, so the Arsenal wall was slightly further than the required 9.15 meters for a free-kick..."
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on March 09, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Arsenal fans were fuming at Anthony Taylor(Image: Getty Images)
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Gary Neville, who was on co-commentary for Sky Sports had noted the "wall looked absolutely miles away" when Fernandes lined up.
Sky themselves also noted the wall was too far away before their coverage of the second half, confirming that it was 11.2 yards back.
Speaking about the goal, Declan Rice said it was down to Arsenal's wall: "It felt like a couple of us jumped and some of us didn't, but I've not seen it back. It felt like the ball flew over us at quite a low height so, from the wall's perspective, we could have done a lot better.
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"The wall did feel far back. Even on our free-kick, when Martin took it, they felt far back as well, more than usual. But the referee makes that decision."
Paul Merson blamed Raya: "I'm not a goalkeeper but I've seen a lot of free-kicks and it doesn't matter how hard he hits that ball, it was that far inside the post and he was nowhere near it.
"I don't see too many goals from free-kicks going in that far inside the post. I don't think his position was right."