All Eyes on the Referee: Arsenal’s Champions League Hopes Undone
If you thought all the drama happened on the pitch, think again—referee decisions stole the show as PSG edged Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals. Forget just the late goals and big saves. After the first leg in Paris, fans and pundits were still buzzing about one thing: Achraf Hakimi somehow dodging a red card and suspension, despite stacking up the fouls and plenty of close calls.
Let’s get to the core of what had half of London up in arms. In the opening tie, Hakimi was a thorn in Arsenal’s side—he committed five fouls, and what really got under Mikel Arteta’s skin was a clear trip on Gabriel Martinelli with Arsenal pushing hard to get back into the match. The Moroccan defender already had a booking by then, but referee Jesús Gil Manzano waved away calls for a second yellow. For frustrated Arsenal supporters, that decision was enormous. Had Hakimi seen red, he would have missed the return leg in London—a game he ended up deciding in PSG’s favour.
The fallout? After the whistle, Arteta didn’t mince words. He went after what he called a “hesitance” among referees to take tough action in big matches. You could just feel the tension—no one in the Arsenal camp was buying the idea that big names or big moments should mean softer discipline. It wasn’t just about one tackle or card. The pattern of letting key moments slide is what stung most.
Second Leg Drama: Fouls, Penalties, and Unanswered Questions
Fast forward to the second leg at the Emirates, and the stakes were as high as ever. Arsenal still had half a hope of clawing back the scoreline. But Hakimi, whose presence on the field was already controversial, stepped up with the goal that shattered London hearts—a precise finish for PSG’s crucial second in a 2-1 win, sealing a 3-1 aggregate triumph. The focus, though, hardly stayed on the gameplay.
Instead, heads turned to referee Merino and his handling of a contentious penalty given against Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber. The outrage wasn’t just about the penalty itself, but about the feeling that officiating was inconsistent across both legs. Fans felt that Arsenal were given little leeway, while PSG seemed to benefit from referees holding back, especially when it came to second bookings and cards.
This series left a sour taste for North London. Debates raged on radio shows and social media about where lines are drawn between keeping all eleven players on and actually enforcing the rules. Critics said these Champions League semis showed refs were scared to throw out a big name or sway the match with a red card, even if it meant breaking up the rhythm of the biggest stage in club football.
Referee calls in these blockbuster ties get remembered for years. For Arsenal, this one hurts. Will UEFA listen to the criticism and rethink the balance between robust discipline and keeping stars on the field? For now, the only thing certain is that the debate isn’t dying down any time soon.
