Premier League Refs Are Biased – Here's Proof Arsenal Was Robbed

For years, Arsenal fans have complained about unfair treatment from Premier League referees. From questionable red cards to ignored penalties, many believe there's a consistent pattern – and recent matches seem to back that up.

Take the 2023/24 season clash against Newcastle. Anthony Gordon's winning goal stood despite multiple replays showing possible fouls, a ball possibly out of play, and even a handball shout. Three controversial moments in one goal – and VAR waved it on.

“This is a disgrace. An absolute disgrace.” – Mikel Arteta

Then there’s the infamous “Xhaka tax” – where Granit Xhaka would be booked for minor fouls while opposition players went unpunished for worse. And remember Gabriel Martinelli’s two yellow cards in 10 seconds? No precedent, no warning – just a bizarre decision that changed the game.

But to be fair, Arsenal isn’t the only club to suffer poor refereeing. Manchester United, Liverpool, even smaller clubs like Brighton have been at the receiving end. Referees are human, and they make mistakes.

But here’s the issue: the margin of error seems to swing harder against certain teams — and Arsenal often gets the short end.

So is it bias or just bad officiating?

Some say it’s psychological. Arsenal’s reputation for past ill-discipline may have conditioned refs to expect trouble. Subconscious bias is real – even in the most professional of environments.

But here’s the kicker: in a league that prides itself on being the most competitive in the world, “sorry, human error” is no longer a good enough excuse.

My Take

Arsenal has been robbed – not every time, but often enough to raise eyebrows. Whether it's subconscious bias or inconsistent standards, something has to change. Referees must be held accountable, post-match audio should be public, and VAR must stop protecting poor decisions.

Let’s be honest: if these same decisions went against Manchester United or Liverpool, there would be outrage. Arsenal fans deserve the same respect.

What do you think – are Arsenal fans just being dramatic, or is there truth to this growing sense of injustice? Let’s argue it out in the comments. 👇