LAURA WOODS led Arsenal fans’ rage at the referee for a “robbery” against Paris Saint-Germain which saw Bukayo Saka denied a golden chance.
Gunners supporters were dealt an early blow when Ousmane Dembele fired the French side in front in the Champions League semi-final after just four minutes.
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But as Arsenal pressed for an equaliser in the first half at the Emirates, referee Slavko Vincic felt one man in particular pushed too hard.
Saka, 23, found himself in a battle with Nuno Mendes down the Arsenal right wing four minutes before the break.
But as Saka gently put his hands on the PSG defender’s back, the Portuguese theatrically stumbled before a second touch from his opponent knocked him off balance.
The Englishman nicked the ball and was ready to run clear at goal.
The assistant referee waved his flag to award a soft free-kick against Saka.
And, when Vincic blew his whistle, Saka’s frustration boiled over and he kicked the ball away.
So rather than having a glorious opportunity to level up, Saka ended up getting booked.
And that led to a furious reaction from Arsenal supporters watching on at home – including Woods.
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She tweeted: “Might be biased here but Saka is absolutely amazing. Just love him. Never a booking.”
And plenty of others also vented on social media.
One blasted: “This is an absolute disgrace. Saka is through on goal here if the ref doesn’t give this… we are witnessing a daylight robbery rn.”
Another wrote: “No comment.”
A third added: “That’s never ever a foul from Saka. The linesman was standing literally two yards away.”
A fourth commented: “Referee is calling this way too tight. Never a foul on Saka who would’ve been clear through on goal. Hate when referees reward defenders with those fouls. So soft.”
A fifth fumed: “It is a scandal!”
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ARSENAL face an uphill battle next week.
The Gunners suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their all-important Champions League semi-final home leg.
Ousmane Dembele stunned the Emirates Stadium into silence when his first-time shot hit the post and bounced over the line just three minutes into the match.
After a nervous start, it took the Gunners around 20 minutes to settle.
But when they did, the momentum began to swing in their favour.
Just moments into the second half, Mikel Merino finally put the ball in the net – only for it to be chalked offside after a lengthy VAR check.
And Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard forced worldy saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
David Raya then produced stunning stop from Goncalo Ramos as the Gunners held on at 1-0.
It’s not over – there is still at least 90 minutes to be played.
But away from home, it will not be easy.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated Arsenal’s stars on the night…
A sixth replied: “People saying that push from Saka was enough for a foul… game’s gone.”
And a final user simply responded: “That’s not a foul.”
Some others did point out the fact Arsenal fans should not be complaining after Jurrien Timber escaped giving a penalty away after sticking an arm out to impede Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Gunners were left bemoaning VAR early in the second half when Mikel Merino’s headed goal was chalked off for a marginal offside from a free-kick routine.
They were also denied by two fine saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The first saw him push away Gabriel Martinelli’s effort before superbly turning a Leandro Trossard strike past the post.
Dembele’s goal proved the only game of the first leg – meaning Arsenal must win in the Parc des Princes next week to keep their dreams of winning the Champions League alive.
