Fans have heaped praise on the referee for Arsenal’s 0-0 draw away against Atalanta, after he penalised Ben White for a lesser-spotted infringement.
David Raya produced two moments of brilliance to save the Gunners’ blushes in a tricky Champions League opener in Italy on Thursday night.
After a goalless first-half, Thomas Partey was penalised for bringing down Ederson in the penalty area. Arsenal’s Spanish goalkeeper then made a double save for the ages, diving to his right then his left to keep out a shocked Mateo Retegui.
Arsenal’s display in the Gewiss Stadium was laboured and their consistent struggle to get into attacking positions meant the side finished with just two shots on target and deserving of no more than a point in the new-look league format.
At one point, right-back White tried to take matters into his own hands and push the Gunners up the field – but his trickery was spotted by match official Clément Turpin.
Fans have heaped praise on the referee for Arsenal ‘s 0-0 draw away against Atalanta, after he penalised Ben White for a lesser-spotted infringement
The English right-back was penalised for stealing ten yards as he threw the ball in
The Gunners delivered a lacklustre display in their Champions League opener in Bergamo
The Englishman picked up the ball for a throw-in on the halfway line before taking a couple of small steps forward as he decided where to launch it.
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White then dried the ball with his shirt, shuffled slightly further along the touchline, before throwing it with a great leap, much to the frustration of opposition players.
Turpin, realising the defender has stolen about ten yards, then blew his whistle for a foul throw, giving the home side the chance to put the ball in play instead.
Reddit users have reacted in delight to the decision and called for more refeeres to call out such gamesmanship.
One was pessimistic as to whether any officials would follow Turpin’s lead, saying: ‘For how precise they are with so many things, it always bewilders me how players are allowed to do this multiple times a game.
‘Love that he called it, hate that it won’t happen again this year.’
Another replied: ‘I was watching in awe. I don’t think i’ve ever seen it happen before. Would love this to become more normal.’
One user added: ‘This should be common practice, happens soooo often in every level.
David Raya pulled off a stunning double save for the ages as Arsenal drew 0-0 with Atalanta
Raya was quick to throw himself across his goal line and tip away Retegui’s follow-up header
Next up for the Gunners are Premier League champions Manchester City who also drew 0-0
‘Wastes crazy time but refs suddenly become picky if a player wants to do a quick throw in from 2 meters of the original spot.’
IFAB (International Football Association Board) rules, which the UEFA Champions League is governed by, state that ‘if the throw-in is not taken correctly, it is retaken by the opposing team’.
Arsenal’s forgettable match in Bergamo leaves the side in 16th after one game played and with concerns over the attacking flow of the side ahead of a crucial clash against Premier League champions Manchester City.
