Marriner should have collared this shirty duo earlier
Andre MArriner is a referee who doesn’t get involved in a game unless he feels it absolutely necessary. Unfortunately that approach can sometimes cause issues, as it did at the emirates yesterday. A routine game turned sour when Marriner allowed a confrontation — caused by Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere — to develop, which led to Jack Stephens’ understandable frustration after having his shirt ripped apart. Wilshere got up and went at Stephens before Marriner arrived on the scene. As our pictures show, Stephens clearly went too far in his attack on the Arsenal man but it seemed wholly unfair to dismiss the Southampton player, with his shirt in tatters, and allow Wilshere to escape with just a yellow card. The dismissal could and should have been avoided as the incident would have not arisen if Marriner had been a little more proactive. referees are advised that if an off-the-ball incident cannot be left unattended play has to be stopped. A quick whistle, a caution for Wilshere and two red cards would have been avoided. it really was poor refereeing. The disparity in numbers didn’t last long as Marriner sent off Mohamed elneny in the aftermath moments later. His push on Cedric Soares appeared fairly innocuous but, under advice from his assistant, Marriner dismissed the Arsenal midfielder.