Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has dismissed the notion of a Premier League referee conspiracy targeting Arsenal, deeming it as 'ridiculous'.
The Gunners have had three players sent off this term in the top-flight across their opening nine fixtures – against AFC Bournemouth, Manchester City and Brighton.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans believe they have proof referees and VAR are conspiring against them after Aston Villa recently had a goal ruled out against the Cherries.
Amid talk of an alleged agenda, O’Hara has told Grosvenor Sport that Arsenal supporters need to stop complaining about Premier League officials.
‘Arsenal fans need to stop moaning, there’s no referee conspiracy against them,’ O’Hara said.
‘There’s no match official going, ‘Yeah let’s stitch up Arsenal’ – you get some decisions, and you don’t get some decisions – that is football.
‘You can’t argue against the red cards that they’ve received. By the rules, they’ve all been dealt with correctly.
‘William Saliba’s against Bournemouth was a last man foul; Leandro Trossard kicked the ball away at the Etihad and Declan Rice did the same against Brighton!
‘You can’t get away from that, so to say there’s a conspiracy against them is nonsense.
‘It might be harsh but that’s just football. Look at the penalty Manchester United conceded to West Ham last weekend.
‘Are you telling me there’s a conspiracy against United? Are United out saying there’s a conspiracy against them?
‘It happens every game and it happens to every team, get on with it Arsenal. Just deal with it and win the game.’
Arsenal beat Preston 3-0 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and are back in action on Saturday with a trip to Newcastle United in the Premier League.