Arsenal fans lay into Trent Alexander-Arnold after escaping red for dangerous tackle on Bukayo Saka

‘VAR failing us yet again’: Arsenal fans furious as Trent Alexander-Arnold escapes red card following dangerous tackle on Bukayo Saka in win over Liverpool… with Eddie Nketiah sent off for similar challenge against Leicester

  • Trent Alexander-Arnold avoided a red card after a bad tackle on Bukayo Saka
  • Arsenal supporters were furious with the decision in their 2-1 win over Liverpool 
  • They claimed the challenge was no different to Eddie Nketiah’s against Leicester
  • The Gunners forward was sent off for a similar tackle on James Justin this month 

Arsenal supporters have torn into Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold after he stayed on the pitch following a poorly timed challenge on Bukayo Saka. 

The Gunners beat the champions 2-1 at the Emirates on Wednesday night after coming from behind, but just after half-time the right back could easily have been sent for an early bath as he went studs up into Saka’s leg.

Saka was left in agony after the challenge and replays suggest the Liverpool youngster should have been shown a red card. He was instead issued a yellow card by referee Paul Tierney with VAR opting not to review the original decision. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold was shown only a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Bukayo Saka

Trent Alexander-Arnold was shown only a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Bukayo Saka     

Replays show that the Liverpool star was lucky to stay on the pitch after his studs up challenge

Replays show that the Liverpool star was lucky to stay on the pitch after his studs up challenge

 

Now Gunners fans have taken to social media to vent their frustrations, with many pointing out that the challenge was similar to Eddie Nketiah’s on James Justin against Leicester this month – for which he was shown a red card and handed a three-match ban.

‘How on earth did this not even get a VAR review?’ raged one fan on Twitter. ‘Clear red card.’

Another wrote: ‘Eddie Nketiah got a red card, Trent didn’t. Worst refs in Europe! Incredible inconsistency.’

Eddie Nketiah was given his marching order against Leicester for a similar challenge 

One user also questioned why VAR had not checked the challenge, adding: ‘VAR didn’t see this Trent Alexander-Arnold tackle that deserved a red card. Nonsense.’

And as the anger continued on social media, another Gunners fan claimed that VAR was ‘failing’ the club. 

The post read: ‘How was Alexander-Arnold able to escape a red card for that challenge on Bukayo Saka? 

‘Looked more reckless than Nketiah’s tackle on Leicester’s City’s Justin. Got slapped with a three-match suspension but Arnold? Just a yellow … VAR again failing us yet again.’

Arsenal bounced back from a defeat to Tottenham with Reiss Nelson scoring the winner

Arsenal bounced back from a defeat to Tottenham with Reiss Nelson scoring the winner

Luckily for Arsenal, they didn’t need a numerical advantage as they bounced back from a disappointing loss to rivals Tottenham in the north London derby to beat the Premier League champions after initially going behind in the first half.

Sadio Mane opened the scoring for Jurgen Klopp’s men before an unlikely mistake from Virgil van Dijk gifted an equaliser to Alexandre Lacazette. 

Youngster Reiss Nelson then netted the winner on the stroke of half-time after a rare blunder from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. 

source: dailymail.co.uk