Ex-Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was left fuming after Manchester City’s win over his former side on Saturday.
City left it late to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League to 11 points with a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium – but the game wasn’t without its share of incidents.
Having fallen behind to Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal, City drew themselves level from the spot after Bernardo Silva was brought down by Granit Xhaka.
The challenge was initially waved away by referee Stuart Attwell before he was advised to take another look at the incident by VAR, with the official pointing to the spot after viewing the pitch-side monitor.
Riyad Mahrez stepped up to fire City level, before Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when Gabriel picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Gabriel Jesus, having picked up his first booking for scuffing up the penalty spot.
It looked as though City would have to settle for a point before Rodri steered home a loose ball in stoppage time to earn the visitors their 11th successive win, and strengthen their position at the top of the table.
Former Arsenal captain Fabregas though was left aggrieved with the decision that led to City drawing level.
Responding to the awarding of City’s penalty, Fabregas tweeted: “That’s never a pen. Terrible decision.”
When a fan replied disagreeing with the Monaco midfielder, Fabregas insisted that Silva “was already falling”.
The incident proved to be the turning point in the game, with Arsenal having been worth their lead beforehand as they looked to inflict a rare defeat on City.
The Gunners missed a glorious opportunity to retake the lead just moments after the penalty, with Gabriel Martinelli firing over after Aymeric Laporte had almost headed into his own net, with Nathan Ake managing to clear the ball off the line just in time.
Shortly after, defender Gabriel was given his marching orders, providing the catalyst for City to turn things around, prompting Fabregas to tweet: “How football can change in a space of 5’. Incredible.”
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