ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE has hit out at referee Stuart Attwell for his decision making in Arsenal’s Premier League loss to Manchester City.
The north Londoners suffered a 2-1 defeat against the champions on Saturday afternoon thanks to a controversially-awarded Riyad Mahrez penalty and a stoppage-time winner from Rodri.
Mikel Arteta’s side were denied a stonewall penalty by VAR in the first half following an Ederson foul on Martin Odegaard, a decision that enraged France international Lacazette.
He wrote on Instagram: “Don’t think we deserved those decisions but I’m proud of my team and thank you fans for never giving up on us, you were amazing!
“On to the next.”
An impressive Arsenal took the lead in the 31st minute through Bukayo Saka before Mahrez put the visitors back on level terms in the 57th minute.
Things went from bad to worse for the Gunners two minutes later when Gabriel undid his all side’s good work with a second booking.
After the match, Assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg – who took charge of the match due to Arteta’s Covid isolation – said: “Mikel has the same feelings as me.”
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“He is frustrated after the performance and seeing the development of the team from the start of the season to now.
“Are we able to compete against one of the best teams in the world? And we were.
“We also showed guts and played the game we wanted in the first half. In the end it is frustrating to end with zero points.”
Attwell’s display at the Emirates prompted repeated chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ and ‘2-1 to the referee’.
And the fans’ fury boiled over in the 93rd minute when a section of the Emirates launched bottles and toilet paper at a celebrating Rodri.
Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways on Thursday when they welcome Liverpool to the Emirates for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.
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