Ex-Prem ref explains how Man City defender swerved dismissal despite kicking out at Arsenal’s Ben White

Arsenal’s huge Premier League clash against Manchester City didn’t get off to the start that they would’ve hoped after weeks and months of building to this moment. 

Just seven minutes into the game though, their ideal start was shattered as Erling Haaland found Kevin De Bruyne, who took aim from range and found the bottom corner. It was a half of torrential attacks from City, who continued to knock on the door, but couldn’t find another.

Scenes flared up in towards the end of the first half as Ruben Dias appeared to kick out at Ben White. White bundled Dias over and then attempted to kick the ball out from under his legs.

Dias responded by kicking out at the Arsenal defender right in front of the assistant referee, sparking a melee involving both sets of players. Referee Michael Oliver opted to show a yellow card to Dias but refrained from sending him off.

The decision to not send Manchester City star Ruben Dias off for his kick out at Arsenal’s Ben White was “correct”.

That’s according to former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who was working for BT Sport as their officiating analyst on Wednesday (April 27) night. Dias looked like he could be in trouble just before half-time of the title rivals’ clash at the Etihad.

He was shown only a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver, with a VAR check determining no further action should be taken.

Clattenburg, who appeared to have replaced Peter Walton for BT, believed that was the right call as Dias didn’t use enough force to warrant a red.

He said: “Yeah what I think they did is they looked for a potential red card. Did Ruben Dias use any force in the challenge with the kick out to Ben White?

“He didn’t, it was more of a petulant kick and therefore the VAR was correct in identifying that was a yellow card offence.”

Dias avoiding a sending off wasn’t the only VAR call which left Arsenal fans seething as they saw their title hopes fade with a 4-1 defeat. They couldn’t believe Stones’ header from a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick was ruled onside.

At first glance it appeared he was well off, but White’s out-stretched foot was adjudged to have played him on. Ultimately, City were too dominant for the Gunners and took control of the title race.

Victory for the Cityzens in the game will see them cut the gap to leaders Arsenal to just two points. Pep Guardiola’s side also have two games in hand on the Gunners.