Brentford vs Arsenal ref watch: Three decisions John Brooks got frustratingly wrong
John Brooks was thrown into the spotlight at late notice as Arsenal and Brentford clashed at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Filling in for Tony Harrington, both sets of fans were frustrated in the early stages on Thursday, 12 February, with loud groans heard from the away end as Viktor Gyokeres was cautioned after 30 minutes.
Noni Madueke should have been booked for an act of simulation, but instead, the winger went on to score the Gunners’ opener with a fine header, only for Keith Andrews‘ side to hit back.
The Bees would have felt that three points were more than possible, creating multiple big chances against the league leaders, but it was not to be, especially after Igor Thiago missed a late chance to win it all.
Gabriel Magalhaes allowed to man-handle Igor Thiago
After just 17 minutes, the home supporters were on the referee’s back, with Gabriel Magalhaes allowed to bring Igor Thiago on the halfway line, but the whistle was not sounded.
The Brazilian would eventually go into the referee’s notebook, just moments later, sliding into the same player, this time extremely late, and deservedly being punished by Brooks.
Viktor Gyokeres unfairly punished early on
Unlike Gabriel, there was very little in Gyokeres’ challenge that saw him booked in the first half. While there may have been a slight clip on Yehor Yarmoliuk, it was barely enough for a foul.
Brooks was very whistle-happy in the opening 45 minutes, making decisions which led to an increasingly frustrated atmosphere, one that had to be controlled by the officials.
John Brooks bottles red card for Arsenal star
The Bees were chasing all three points at the Gtech, which would have had massive complications for the Gunners’ charge for the Premier League title, with Man City closing in.
With less than 10 minutes left to play, Gabriel, already on a yellow card, went crashing into a late challenge on Dango Ouattara in the final third, but escaped a second booking.
Many other referees would have reached straight into their pocket for a yellow, then a red, but home supporters were left questioning, and a chorus of “you’re not fit to referee” rang around the stadium.