Arsenal fans were left furious at the officials after Virgil van Dijk fired level for Liverpool.
Van Dijk was at the centre of proceedings on Sunday evening as the Liverpool captain clashed with Kai Havertz in the opening minutes of their clash with the Gunners. The Dutchman appeared to kick out at the German, but he escaped any sort of punishment.
“Any other player in the league that’s a straight red card for violent conduct. Van Dijk should of been red carded there,” one fan fumed. And another added: “Van Dijk not booked for fouling Havertz twice without the ball, Diaz gets away with kicking the ball away and now no penalty either – just a mess!”
And anger from the Gunners faithful only boiled over when Van Dijk poked the ball home to cancel out Bukayo Saka’s opener. “Not like van dijk should be off on a red or anything,” one fan sighed.
“Van Dijk shouldn’t even be on the pitch. 1-1,” a second shared. And another added: “So Van Dijk who should have been sent off (because let’s be real, if it was the other way round, Arsenal would be down to 10 right now) scores the goal!”
However, the Gunners were back in the lead when the two sides left the pitch for half-time. Mikel Arteta’s side have been unbeatable from set-pieces this season, and it was another free-kick that saw them retake the lead.
Declan Rice whipped in a delightful cross that was met by Mikel Merino – who powered his header home for his first goal as a Gooner.
There was a lengthy VAR check, but it was confirmed Van Dijk had played the Spanish star onside, allowing the goal to stand.