Cesc Fabregas was blocked and brought to the ground by Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny but the referee in charge of the match on Sunday, Mark Clattenburg did not deem it fit to offer Chelsea a penalty. According to Fabregas, this is a theme that has become too common these days.
Fabregas has hit out at Clattenburg owing to his decision to overlook Chelsea’s chance of a penalty. The incident in question took place during the second half of the match. A goal from Diego Costa at the 23rd minute saw Chelsea defeat the Gunners, who are all-out after the Premier League title this season. Fabregas came up with an excellent midfield performance for Chelsea.
Chelsea could have had another goal to their name had the penalty been offered to them.
Clattenberg avoided pointing to the spot of the incident and insisted that it was only a shoulder push that brought Fabregas down and the tackle does not warrant a penalty.
When asked about the incident, the Mirror quotes him as saying, “In my opinion yes, but I don’t know. The referee said no, what can I do?
"It’s not the first time, not the second, not the third [that’s happened]. I’m not surprised anymore.”
When asked why he thinks so, the midfielder said, "I don’t know. I’m just saying, I don’t know why, maybe a coincidence.”
Fabregas was at his level best on Sunday at the Emirates against Arsenal and the Spaniard himself feels that he is feeling sharper than before and possibly he is at his best form presently.
He told Mirror, “I’m nearly there, I think I’m feeling very sharp I think my brain is much quicker than maybe the last few months.
"I struggled for a little but I don’t know really why but the sharpness is back. I feel that under pressure I’m much more in control I’m not shaky. My team-mates made it always easier for me, but definitely in the last year probably I’m in the best form right now.”
Having faced a defeat at the hands of the Blues, Arsenal has now dropped down to the third spot in the league table with 44 points. Leicester City now hold the top spot in the English Premier League with 47 points.
Arsenal’s hopes were somewhat demolished in the 18th minute of the match when Per Mertesacker was sent off by Clattenburg after he stuck out a leg to upend Diego Costa near Arsenal’s 18-yard box. Arsenal was down to 10 men.
The fans booed Arsene Wenger’s decision to substitute Olivier Giroud for Gabriel Paulista. The disappointment was also writ large on Giroud’s face.
