Alan Shearer baffled by "terrible" referee blunder in Arsenal's draw at Chelsea

22 October 2023 , 11:05

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Alan Shearer baffled by "terrible" referee blunder in Arsenal's draw at Chelsea

Alan Shearer hit out at the decision not to award Arsenal a penalty during their draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Gunners maintained their unbeaten start to the season after coming back from 2-0 down late on to rescue a point, thanks to goals from Declan Rice and substitute Leandro Trossard.

Chelsea dominated for large periods of the game and looked to be on course for their biggest win under Mauricio Pochettino before the late collapse, which was sparked by some poor distribution from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Attempting to play a pass out from the back, Sanchez found Rice instead of teammate Conor Gallagher, and the England midfielder expertly fired the ball into the net from distance.

Moments later, Arsenal believed they should have had a penalty when the Chelsea stopper clattered into Gabriel Jesus as he came out for a cross. Referee Chris Kavanagh and the VAR did not deem the challenge as a foul.

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But speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer suggested Sanchez and Chelsea had got away with one. He said: " Sanchez has just come out and he wipes Jesus out. What is key for me is that he catches him in the head. Look, he goes right through him here. It's a terrible challenge.

"How on earth can the VAR not think that's a penalty and the referee? He is nowhere near the ball. They should have had a penalty, there is no doubt about it."

Sanchez clatters into Gabriel Jesus at Stamford Bridge (Getty Images)

Shearer also pointed the finger at Sanchez for Rice's goal, adding: "What on earth is he doing there? I haven't got a clue. Just clear it and get rid of it."

His opposite number and Spain colleague David Raya also had an evening to forget at Stamford Bridge as he was lobbed by Mykhailo Mudryk for Chelsea's second while also struggling with his feet.

The ex-Brentford stopper has taken over from Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal's No.1 but Gary Neville has not been convinced with what he has seen so far. Speaking on Sky Sports he said: "He started well but he had a poor Champions League game and then a shaky first half against Manchester City.

"It surprised us all when Aaron Ramsdale was left out of a game a month or so ago. We thought it might be for a couple of games, but now it looks as though David Raya is No 1. The problem is he's started to now look nervy and is making mistakes."

Liam Prenderville