Arsenal
(Credit: TNT Sports)
Keith Hackett
Thu 13 March 2025 16:51, UK
Mikel Arteta can rightly be angered about Raheem Sterling’s Champions League ban for Arsenal after what happened in Aston Villa’s win over Club Brugge, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referees must manager games in the same way, after differing approaches were taken with implementing stoppage time in the two games.
Sterling produced an excellent performance as Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV at the Emirates in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash on Wednesday (12 March).
With the Gunners leading 7-1 from the first leg, that 9-3 aggregate lead meant they had nothing to worry about going in to stoppage time in that game.
Even so, three minutes of additional time were played despite the tie being all but over, and that could prove costly for Arteta‘s side.
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Deep into that additional time, Sterling was booked for a challenge on Johan Bakayoko that could have seen him sent off, meaning he will now miss the first leg of Arsenal’s quarter final next month.
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But while the Gunners were forced to play stoppage time despite their dominant lead, Aston Villa were able to avoid it.
Arsenal last five games Result
West Ham (H) Lost 1-0
Nottingham Forest (A) Drew 0-0
PSV (A) Won 7-1
Man United (A) Drew 1-1
PSV (H) Drew 2-2 (Won 9-3 on aggregate)
With Unai Emery’s side leading Club Brugge 6-1 on aggregate, Aston Villa saw the second leg of their tie controversially concluded as soon as the clock hit 90 minutes, despite officials not being allowed to agree this with the managers.
A similar situation in the Arsenal would have seen Sterling avoid his yellow card and subsequent ban for the next Champions League match.
As a result, Hackett believes Arteta will be far from happy about that lack of consistency in timekeeping.
‘Arsenal will be unhappy over stoppage time differences’ – Keith Hackett
Speaking to Football Insider about Sterling picking up a booking in a period of stoppage time other officials might not have enforced, Hackett said: “How do you think Arteta feels when Raheem Sterling was cautioned in the third minute of added time?
“Match officials have to apply the laws, equally, fairly and accurately. Timing of games is so important, we know that actual playing time is much less than it should be. This is unacceptable by the match official.”
Arsenal will face holders Real Madrid in the quarter finals, where Aston Villa themselves will take on French champions PSG.
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