Mainstream Media Finally Catching On: Arsenal Getting a Raw Deal from Referees
After years of being ignored, it’s refreshing to see the BBC finally shine a light on Arsenal’s bizarre lack of penalties. For those of us who’ve been highlighting this trend since as far back as 2017, it’s satisfying to watch the mainstream media begin to catch up.
Of course, this isn’t a new issue. We’ve written extensively about penalties awarded for and against Arsenal, and if you’re in the mood for a deep dive, our piece “Penalties for and against Arsenal” is a good (if frustrating) place to start.
But even if you haven’t followed every twist of the saga, here’s the key development: the BBC has published data showing that while Liverpool were awarded and scored nine penalties last season, Arsenal received just two. That’s right — only two, despite finishing high in the table.
This echoes what we’ve been saying for years. The data isn’t hidden — it’s publicly available. What’s new is that the BBC has broken ranks and actually reported on it. They’ve gone further than us this time too, pointing out that Arsenal had a better non-penalty shot conversion rate than Liverpool. So it’s not about finishing; it’s about officials simply not awarding Arsenal spot-kicks.
As the BBC notes, “for a team that finished as high in the table as Arsenal to win just two penalties is unusual.” In fact, teams finishing with 70+ points typically get around five penalties. The last time a side had so few penalties and so many points? Arsenal again, in 2015-16. That season, they were runners-up — and received only two penalties. Leicester, the champions, were awarded 13.
That year we identified something odd about Leicester’s forward line — particularly Jamie Vardy. He had a habit of darting across the penalty area, then suddenly spinning and running back across the trailing defender’s path. It was a clever move, catching defenders off guard and often drawing a foul — and a penalty. We called it out, and gradually defenders and refs caught on. The penalties dried up.
Since then, we’ve been digging into Arsenal’s situation more deeply. But while the wider media largely ignored the problem, the BBC now seems to be paying attention.
Their latest article again references that infamous 2015-16 season, reinforcing our point: this isn’t a one-off. It’s a long-standing issue.
Here’s the BBC’s breakdown for last season:
| Team | Penalties Won | Scored | Points from Pens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 9 | 9 | +11 |
| Arsenal | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Statistically, Arsenal weren’t underperforming. Their shot conversion rate excluding penalties was 11% — just 1% below the league average. But over 544 shots, that 1% meant five fewer goals. With 14 draws, those extra goals might have netted 10 more points — enough to match Liverpool’s tally.
In fact, Arsenal didn’t struggle with finishing at all. The idea that they were wasteful in front of goal is a myth. They outperformed their expected goals (xG) by seven — the highest among the top six. Liverpool, by contrast, barely outperformed theirs.
So if Arsenal were so clinical, why the constant media push for a new striker? The data says finishing wasn’t the issue. Perhaps it’s a diversion tactic — to keep opponents guessing and offer backup in case of injuries, rather than replacing key players.
In short, the narrative is changing — and finally, the media is beginning to admit that when it comes to penalties, Arsenal really do have a case.
