Arsenal right to feel hard done by as Dermot Gallagher speaks out on Sunderland controversy
Dermot Gallagher believes that Craig Pawson made a crucial error at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland secured a point in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Saturday, with Dan Ballard providing the heroics at both ends of the pitch.
The Northern Ireland defender, who had been mooted for an impossible England call-up, scored the opening goal and provided a goal-saving block in the last minute to see his side maintain their unbeaten home run.
However, Saturday’s clash wasn’t without controversy, and Gallagher believes that one of the goals should not have stood.
Martin Zubimendi wrongly penalised in build-up to Sunderland opener
First and foremost, Ballard’s goal was remarkable.
The first touch was exquisite, and the finish past a David Raya who hadn’t conceded a goal in the 800 minutes prior to that was superb.
However, it all started from a free kick, which Arsenal felt hard done by.
Granit Xhaka disposessed Ebere Eze, before Wilson Isidor appeared to be hacked down by Martin Zubimendi.
The Spaniard was cautioned, and Sunderland scored from the resulting free kick.
However, when discussing the decision on Ref Watch via Sky Sports, Gallagher believes that Pawson got this one wrong.
“I think he’s unlucky to give a free-kick away, even more unlucky to get a yellow card,” explained Gallagher.
“It’s possibly a misread by the referee.”
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Craig Pawson got other call spot on
Arsenal also wanted a penalty when Ballard collided with Mikel Merino, though Pawson waved play on and VAR didn’t intervene.
At the time, it looked like a standard attempt to clear the ball with his head, with Merino caught in the face by an elbow.
That is exactly how Gallagher saw this incident, and he saw no reason for Sunderland to be penalised.
“VAR looked at it,” Gallagher said.
“I don’t think it’s a foul. He used his arms for leverage. If anything, Merino comes into him. There’s a clash, but there are clashes all the time in football. It’s strong defending.“
Brian Brobbey goal also caused uproar
There’s certainly a theme emerging, and one that suggests Arsenal will complain about anything and everything that didn’t go their way.
Brian Brobbey scored his first Sunderland goal at the weekend, beating Gabriel to the ball and flicking it beyond Raya.
Gabriel wanted a foul for a high boot, but once again, Pawson cleared any wrongdoing, and Gallagher believes he was in his right to do so.
He said: “A really, really good goal.
“He only has eyes on the ball. The [Arsenal] player has ducked in. For me, a good goal.”
Pawson didn’t have the best game generally, but he got the majority of the big calls right on this occasion.
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