The hatred Arsenal fans have for Martin Atkinson is already enormous, but it reached a new high during Saturday’s clash between Chelsea and the Gunners.
Atkinson was named the match official in a game which the north London outfit were never favorites to win. The referee then made a call which angered Gooners following the game.
Marcos Alonso gave the home side an early lead, after only 13 minutes, through a header from a Diego Costa cross. However, Arsenal fans picked up a foul by the Chelsea defender just as he was connecting with the cross.
The Blues ace elbowed the Spanish right-back during his leap, which Atkinson either failed to notice or, worse, thought was legal. The incident then left Arsenal in an even stickier situation, as Bellerin had to be taken off and replaced by Gabriel Paulista after his blow to the face.
SUBSTITUTION:
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) February 4, 2017
OUT: Bellerin
IN: Gabriel
Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal #CHEARS
Fans were not happy, and expressed their disbelief at what just happened on Twitter. Many Gooners felt that had Granit Xhaka been the culprit, he would already be in the dressing room. Check out the best tweets.
Alonso smashing Bellerín to bits as he gets to the ball first and scores might be the most perfect encapsulation of Chelsea v Arsenal ever.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) February 4, 2017
"He takes a little bit of a crack in the face"
— Charlie Wernham (@charliewernham) February 4, 2017
A little bit? Gary Neville, Talking bollcoks since the dawn of time. pic.twitter.com/UEmFXMP5pe
This is allowed when you play against Arsenal pic.twitter.com/U0Vt5Y35Y5
— M1Ö (@MesutOzilClass) February 4, 2017
"That's clean mate" pic.twitter.com/VPyMzfGRCI
— #JeSuisArsène (@AlbozsgZ02) February 4, 2017
Wow. Only allowed against Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/fWWbXEUb62
— Arsenal Related (@ArsenalsRelated) February 4, 2017
'Brave header'. pic.twitter.com/iG0kRvJqpR
— FG (@FunnyGooner) February 4, 2017
BREAKING: Live replay of Marcos Alonso on Hector Bellerin. pic.twitter.com/oxzs6q53LI
— SPORF (@Sporf) February 4, 2017
This isn't a Foul? @FA pic.twitter.com/Zgt7zkBngg
— kristen Arsenal (@kristenArsenal) February 4, 2017
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