Christian Eriksen Highlights Controversial Refereeing Decision That Helped Manchester United Against Arsenal

Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has admitted that referee Anthony Taylor’s error played a role in Bruno Fernandes’ goal against Arsenal during their 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.  

The Danish playmaker humorously noted how far back the Arsenal wall was positioned for Fernandes’ free-kick, which gave United a slight advantage in the crucial Premier League encounter. 

Fernandes found the back of the net in the first half, with Arsenal’s Declan Rice later equalizing for the visitors.  

However, it was revealed at halftime that Taylor had mistakenly placed the Arsenal defensive wall 11.2 yards away instead of the standard 10 yards. This seemingly minor discrepancy became a major talking point among fans and pundits alike, with United players later feeling aggrieved as they were made to stand further back in a similar second-half scenario. 

When asked about the free-kick situation, Eriksen quipped, “Very good, happy that the wall was about 15 metres away. You saw how far back they were and it was beneficial for us. We felt relief from the fans in the stadium after the goal.” 

The draw saw United climb one place to 14th in the Premier League table, with Eriksen reflecting on the team’s performance. “If you look at the chances, we could have won it. We tried to play on the counter as much as possible, which was the game plan,” he stated. 

United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, praised his team for their resilience against Arsenal, a side contending for the Premier League title alongside Liverpool. However, he acknowledged the need for a more proactive style of play moving forward. 

“I think we did well. Of course, we don’t want to play like this, defending so much and giving the ball to the opponent,” Amorim told Sky Sports. “With all the games and characteristics of the players, sometimes it happens. Lindelof hasn’t played much, and Casemiro is more comfortable in this kind of setup. But when you coach Manchester United, you cannot play too much like that. You have to try to win the game.” 

Manchester United continues to struggle with inconsistency this season, but their ability to compete against top sides like Arsenal suggests they still have fight left in them.  

Amorim’s side will now look ahead to upcoming fixtures, hoping to refine their tactical approach while avoiding further refereeing controversies. 

With key players such as Eriksen, Fernandes, and Garnacho showing promise, United fans will be eager to see their team bounce back and push higher up the table. However, as Amorim pointed out, adjustments are needed to strike the right balance between defensive discipline and attacking intent. 

For the Red Devils, every point matters as they aim to salvage their season, and their next challenge will be another opportunity to prove their worth.