Sunday was the day Arsenal was supposed to make it 12 wins in a row. Unfortunately for the Gunners, Crystal Palace had other plans.
The north London giant traveled to Selhurst Park on Matchday 10 of the Premier League with the aim of recording yet another triumph. However, after a poor first half, Unai Emery's men headed into the break 1-0 behind after conceding a penalty right before half-time.
Aubameyang and Co. returned for the second half and scored two goals in four minutes to turn things around. However, with only seven minutes remaining, the away side gave away another spot kick.
Luka Milivojevic scored from the spot for the second time after the referee penalized Granit Xhaka for a challenge on Wilfried Zaha. However, many debated whether Martin Atkinson got the decision right.
In fact, many took to Twitter to accuse the Ivorian of diving. The argument of those who opposed the referee's call was that the Palace ace dropped to the floor under minimal contact to con the official.
DIVE DIVE DIVE 'I NEED PROTECTION' says Hodgson and Zaha, then dives.
— PB (@OliPriceBates) October 28, 2018
Just seen the 'foul' of Xhaka on Zaha. Clear dive by Zaha. Disgraceful.
— LTArsenal™ (@ltarsenal) October 28, 2018
Never a penalty, Zaha dived. Not clever just cheating.
— Gooner Nation (@GoonerNation) October 28, 2018
Zaha is a proper cheat
— Mystic Memz (@Durchiga) October 28, 2018
About time Zaha got banned. Two games in a row he's dived for penalties
— Unai Emery's & army (@LeeGunner82) October 28, 2018
Didn't deserve a win today but absolutely should've won this and we haven't because Zaha dived and Atkinson bought it.
— JB™️ (@gunnerpunner) October 28, 2018
We cannot win them all, this might actually take some of the pressure away before Liverpool next week, defensively Mustafi is a liability, and Zaha is nothing more than a cheat, we move on!
— MR DT © (@MrDtAFC) October 28, 2018
Of course Zaha dives, but that's a ridiculous pass from Lacazette with six men committed to a counter. That's the kind of mistake that won't get highlighted, but costs points
— Jonny Singer (@Jonny_Singer) October 28, 2018
This questioned was posed to Emery after the final whistle. The Spaniard, however, stayed away from accusing Zaha and instead went for a diplomatic response on the matter.
Emery on whether Zaha dived: "When you are defending a lot in your box that can happen. I respect the referee's decision. We need to not concede chances, keeping the opposition far from our box."
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) October 28, 2018
That penalty proved to be crucial, as it earned the Eagles a 2-2 draw and their first point of the season at home. As for the Gunners, they dropped two crucial points but remain in the top four thanks to a one-point advantage over Tottenham.
