Arsenal fans express their anger after the referee for the clash with Manchester United is confirmed

Image credit: Getty Images

Arsenal fans have expressed their displeasure at the appointment of a controversial referee for the crucial Premier League game against Manchester United.

While the prospect of facing an out-of-form Manchester United side might sound appealing, Arsenal’s record at Old Trafford is not particularly encouraging.

In addition, the announcement that Paul Tierney will officiate the match has caused frustration among Arsenal supporters.

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Tierney’s refereeing performance in the same game last season, which resulted in Arsenal’s 3-1 loss, was marred by controversy, particularly surrounding a goal disallowed by Gabriel Martinelli.

Because Gabriel Martinelli had a goal wrongly disallowed, which was subsequently apologized to due to the referee and VAR team claiming Martin Odegaard had fouled Christian Eriksen in the build-up.

Paul Tierney was also the referee for Manchester United vs Arsenal last season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Fans have now expressed their disappointment and anger, citing Tierney’s past errors and questioning the decision to have him officiate such a crucial game. Some highlighted the poor selection of referees, which saw Mikel Arteta embroiled in controversy earlier this season after criticizing them.

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“Apart from Paul Tierney being from Greater Manchester (considering it’s hard to find a referee who isn’t), how does he get the same game this season after a mistake that PGMOL had to apologize for for the last time?” one fan pointed out.

“The guy who made a monumental error that cost us the game last season is being rewarded by refereeing the same game a year later,” said another fan.

“I will never forgive him for Martinelli’s disallowed goal at Old Trafford last season,” added another.

“He’s a joke not only because he’s from Manchester but both him and VAR made the wrong decision in our game last season which cost us,” one fan posted.

“Ah brilliant, the only man in football who thought Ødegaard fouled Eriksen last season to wipe out our early goal,” fumed one fan.

Despite the frustration of Tierney’s appointment, Mikel Arteta will be preparing his staff to put in a stellar performance and get maximum points in the title race. However, if there is any refereeing controversy during the match, many Arsenal fans could attribute it to Tierney’s selection as match official.

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