Arsenal were frustrated for the third league game in a row, drawing this time 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford following goals from Bruno Fernandes and Declan Rice. The point might be better for United, but with their chances, they could have had more and the decisions in the game had a massive influence on the result.
Mikel Arteta looked to have been quite defeated when it came to talk of the title race, even walking out of an interview with Sky Sports after a couple of snappy responses. Could his side have been given some more help and accurate officiating at Old Trafford? Yes and no.
A rare mistake from an official is the headline act of the day amongst a couple of errors that would have benefitted both sides. Anthony Taylor is yet again in focus as football.london assesses the big talking point of the clash in north London.
Bruno Fernandes free-kick
This is arguably one of the most basic things that a referee has to do: count to 10. The foul is cynical from Leandro Trossard, and there are no complaints there, but then Anthony Taylor strides out and on his way, takes an additional step.
It looked quite far to place the wall in real time, and then it was picked up almost immediately by the media, with Gary Neville pointing it out straight away on broadcast. Granted, there are question marks over David Raya's positioning, but the advantage is granted to Fernandes.
Later in the game, Martin Odegaard was given a free-kick in a similar position, and again, Taylor pushed the wall back, maybe aware of his earlier error trying to balance things up. But it was all too late.
FL review: Maybe Taylor can get out to the garden this week and practice walking 10 steps instead of 11, and we might not have this situation. If anyone needs any reminder of how key this is, take it from free-kick specialist and Man Utd beneficiary Cristian Eriksen.
"Happy that the wall was about 15 metres away, so it was perfect for him to put it over," Eriksen joked. "It was beneficial for us. It makes a very, very big difference. You don’t need to hit it as high; it’s easier and gives Bruno a bit more space to hit it over the wall."
FL verdict: Anthony Taylor incorrectly set up the Arsenal wall benefitting goal-scorer Bruno Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes given 11.2 yards to take free-kick against Arsenal by Antony Taylor
Bruno Fernandes given 11.2 yards to take free-kick against Arsenal by Antony Taylor (Image: BBC / Match of the Day)
Mikel Merino red card
It has been so often that the opposition have escaped red cards, or Arsenal players have been harshly punished with sendings off this season. However, at Old Trafford, the script was flipped, and perhaps it was the Gunners who were the fortunate ones.
While Alejandro Garnacho is grounded, both Casemiro and Mikel Merino are fighting for possession of the ball. Close-up cameras show in the replay that the Spaniard puts his foot down on the leg of Garnacho on the floor.
FL review: This could have easily been a red card for Merino if spotted by the on-field referee. Considering he missed it, VAR deemed this not a clear and obvious error as it was shown to be in the eyeline of Taylor, who allowed play to go on.
Were the shoe on the other foot, I can imagine from an Arsenal perspective talking about how yet another red card challenge was not punished. This time around, it was Arsenal getting the rub of the green.
FL verdict: Incorrect decision. Red card Mikel Merino.
Mikel Merino avoids red card after collision with Alejandro Garnacho
Mikel Merino avoids red card after collision with Alejandro Garnacho (Image: BBC / Match of the Day)
Ayden Heaven handball
In the ground, we do not get the benefit of matchday commentary despite being granted the television screens for the replays. In real-time, I had no idea what had got the Arsenal players so riled up after former Gunners’ youngster Ayden Heaven cleared a cross sent into the box.
However, with the benefit of the replays, it was evident that the ball did not just hit one arm but both of the defender. Struggling to control the ball, it bounced down off his head onto his right arm, which then he juggles it onto his left arm before then being able to comfortably clear it.
FL review: For me, there is quite simply too much significant contact with both arms in two separate motions from Heaven for this to simply be dismissed. Amazingly, listening back to the BBC Match of the Day commentary, Guy Mowbray, a personal favourite, said: "Hand onto arm, nothing in that."
Maybe he meant head on to arm, but taking the words at face value, it was an odd statement. I think this, like the Merino red card, should have got a second look from Taylor.
FL verdict: Incorrect decision. Penalty to Arsenal for handball.
Ayden Heaven handball call against Arsenal vs Manchester United
Ayden Heaven handball call against Arsenal vs Manchester United (Image: BBC / Match of the Day)