Kyle Walker wondered if the referee would allow the free-kick that led to Arsenal’s equalizer to be taken early if he was a goalkeeper
By Kehinde Okeowo
Manchester City defender, Kyle Walker, has insisted that Premier League referee, Michael Oliver cost his team two points in Sunday’s league encounter against Arsenal.
The referee had called Bukayo Saka, who captained Arsenal for the game and Walker for a brief talk about the tension within the pitch.
Both players were to pass the message across to their teammates to calm things down.
However, Walker was not allowed to return to his position before the referee allowed the game to be restarted.
The decision led to Arsenal’s equaliser, while the league game played at Etihad Stadium eventually ended in a 2-2 draw.
Speaking to BBC5Live on what transpired after the encounter, Walker blamed Michael Oliver for his team’s draw.
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He also wondered if the referee would have allowed the free-kick to be taken early if he was a goalkeeper.
He said, “I’ve not gone over to the referee. Me and Bukayo have not gone over – he’s called us over.
“If I’m being called over, he should wait and allow me to get back in position before the ball is then going over my head.
“If I go over by my own accord and I’m out of position, it’s my fault. But I’m in position, he’s called the two captains to calm the players down.
“I’m walking back saying: Lads, concentrate, nothing stupid, make sure we get through this. The ball is then going over my head.
“If I was a goalkeeper, would he let me get back in my net? Of course. I’m a defender, I’m the first line of defence, he should let me get back in and be set and then blow the whistle”.