In the wake of Liverpool’s late victory at Nottingham Forest, Former referee Mark Clattenburg believes Arsenal’s accusations are justified

Following Liverpool’s dramatic victory over Nottingham Forest, which was marked by controversy that left Arsenal supporters seething, former referee Mark Clattenburg backed complaints that were lodged after the completion of the match.

Arsenal believed that they were on the verge of achieving a state of jubilation as the minutes and seconds ticked away between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s team was on the verge of losing two significant points that the Gunners had earned themselves just a few weeks earlier. The refereeing controversy, on the other hand, made it possible for Darwin Nunez to score the game-winning goal in the 99th minute, which ended the dreams of both Forest and Gunners and brought all of the points back to Merseyside.

As a result of the victory, Arsenal will need to win away at Sheffield United on Monday night in order to bring the margin back down to just two points before Liverpool travels to Manchester City the following weekend. Nevertheless, supporters voiced their displeasure with Paul Tierney’s decision to send possession of the ball to the away team, despite the fact that he had blown up when Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi had possession of the ball due to a head injury sustained by Ibrahima Konate.

This would be followed by Liverpool restarting the play, and within a few of minutes of the resumption, they would have the ball in the back of the net. Mark Clattenburg, a former referee who is currently an officiating analyst for Forest, voiced his disapproval of the decision and backed the assertions made by Arsenal supporters at the end of the game.

According to what Clattenburg said to BBC Radio 5 Live, “[Forest] ought to have had the ball back.” If the referee decides to stop the game, he is obligated to return the ball to the team that is currently in possession of it. It was Forest up there.”

After that, he disclosed that he was not allowed to enter the referee’s quarters, and the manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, declined to comment on the situation. In response to the question, he merely stated that he did not wish to remark on the referee on the matter.

Although it was referred to as a “big clanger” by Alan Shearer, former Forest midfielder Jermaine Jenas referred to it as a “shocking decision” on Match of the Day. Despite the fact that they are without a significant number of key players in preparation for their match at the Etihad Stadium, Liverpool will not care as they continue to secure victories.

City, on the other hand, will play home to Manchester United in the derby, which will also feature the Gunners and Liverpool. The visitors will be hoping that the underdogs will be able to secure at least a draw, even in the most unrealistic of circumstances. Following on from the goal that was disallowed at Old Trafford and the goal that was incorrectly awarded to Brentford for being offside during the previous season, Arsenal has had their fair share of refereeing problems through this season.

Following comments made by Mikel Arteta during the 1-0 loss to Newcastle United, the player found himself in the middle of a political issue. When a similar event occurred a few of months later, Jarrod Bowen of West Ham was thought to have kept the ball in play, despite the fact that the footage was unclear when it came to judging the reality of the situation.

The decision to not award a penalty against Gabriel Jesus at Aston Villa was a peculiar one. Additionally, a late handball call against Kai Havertz prevented an equalizer from being scored in the waning stages of the match. Both the hostile relationship between the Gunners and the officials, as well as the view that supporters have of them, continues to deteriorate, and the event that occurred at the City Ground will not help to heal the relationship.