Arsenal supporters have left matches feeling hard done by on plenty of occasions. Match incidents have been spread across social media and angrily analysed to the point fans have demanded an answer as to why officiating decisions have not gone their way.
In their previous two losses against Manchester United and Everton, Arsenal saw a number of incidents that fell in their opponent's favour to the dismay of the Gunners faithful.
At Old Trafford, Takehiro Tomiyasu was brought down in the box by Harry Maguire and nothing was done about it. Tugging back the Japanese international, United’s captain impeded the defender and clearly fouled Tomiyasu as he attempted to reach an incoming cross.
Goodison Park saw Tomiyasu again involved in an incident with Everton defender Ben Godfrey stamping down on the 22-year-old’s face, leaving a bloodied mark behind. The referee Mike Dean, however, saw no reason to award any sanction to the former Norwich City man.
What failed to help Arsenal’s cause was a lack of pressure towards the officials. As is seen by plenty of Arsenal’s rivals, Manchester United and Manchester City, in particular, controversial moments lead to a swarm of players surrounding officials calling for action.
At Arsenal, this was not the case in any of the aforementioned moments. Solely a light-hearted protest from the aggrieved victim, in both cases Tomiyasu here.
However, against West Ham, it was a different story. Newly-appointed captain Alexandre Lacazette led from the front both on the ball and off it.
Any innocuous challenge or contentious moment and the Frenchman was demanding the referee to make a call. This quickly spread through his teammates and each time a player be it Lacazette or somebody else went down, a collection of the Gunners' players surrounded Anthony Taylor.
Even from the bench, the energy was transmissible. Mikel Arteta’s assistants had to be reminded to calm down on multiple occasions but it was clear that the team and the staff were willing to do anything to get the three points.
Some may argue that this is the darker side of the game and there is truth to this. However, were the officials consistent and effective, the need for the video assistant referee (VAR) would not be part of the game. Even after its implementation, decisions aren’t conclusive, and the pressure applied by players or the exaggeration of contact can be the difference between a mistake and the correct call.
People may not want to see these types of dramaticisms in football, but unfortunately for too long Arsenal’s refrain from involving themselves in them is costing them points.
In such a highly competitive season where just one Champions League qualification spot looks available for as many as four sides, fine margins will determine the ultimate outcome. Were Arsenal to continue to be too nice, it could cost them their main season objective. Play the game to win the game.
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