Let's face it, losing 2-1 away with 9 men to a world class finish is no disgrace, but that does not tell the full story of last night's game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
This was a game that Arsenal had under control during the first 45 minutes with a Pepe goal to take into the half time break. But there were an additional 4 minutes on which the game swung.
Games can change on small moments and when Jose tripped over his own feet as he ran towards the approaching Bernd Leno, that small moment changed the course of events at Moliynuex. Referee Pawson incredibly decided to award a penalty and send off David Luiz who had, with the most glancing of touches, clipped the Wolves striker unintentionally.
The subsequent penalty was converted and we went into the break with the momentum well and truly swung towards the team in gold.
The second half was punctuated by two things. A wonder strike by Moutinho that no one could be prepared for, and Arsenal's second red card, rightly given when Leno unaccountably turned into Manuel Almunia.
Even with 9 men we had opportunities to salvage a point, but it was not to be.
On the final whistle there was only one thing to talk about; the penalty and red card. What adds to the frustration is that VAR was used to clarify to the ref what decision he should make and it was frankly unbelievable that the decisions stood. This comes days after Granit Xhaka was assaulted by the rather unlikeable and snidey Fernandes during our draw with Manchester United yet, after a VAR review not so much as a yellow card was given.
The laws of the game as published in regards to the Luiz & Jose situation are an ass. They are as clear and yet open to interpretation as a Boris Johnson dictate.
I seldom go in for the "we woz robbed" routine but Pawson's decision making and the advice from Stockley Park were terrible, really terrible and ruined the game.
Incompetence is inexcusable in any sort of professional pursuit and in a sport worth millions it is doubly so.
I don't care about how many so called experts talk about the letter of the law, that decision last night was not right, not right for Arsenal and not right for football.
Hopefully any sense of injustice will convert into a ferocious performance against Villa at the weekend and we can resume our recovery.
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so I said...