‘The Tackle of a Hungover Sunday League Striker’: Arsenal Fans Furious as Nørgaard Escapes Red for Martinelli Challenge

It was supposed to be just another competitive Premier League clash, but what unfolded at the Emirates left Arsenal fans seething—not because of the result, but due to an incident that could have seriously injured one of their star players. Christian Nørgaard’s wild challenge on Gabriel Martinelli has become the talk of the football world, not for its timing or tactical relevance, but for the sheer recklessness that somehow earned him just a yellow card.

The moment came early in the game, and while it didn’t directly result in a goal, it might’ve had career-threatening consequences for Martinelli. As the Arsenal winger charged forward with his usual intensity, Nørgaard lunged from behind in what many described as a “scissor tackle” — the type you rarely see go unpunished in today’s football climate.

To the utter disbelief of fans, commentators, and even neutral viewers, the referee produced only a yellow card. Mikel Arteta was visibly outraged on the touchline, shouting in disbelief at the fourth official. His expression mirrored the general feeling among Gooners watching from the stands and at home: how was that not a red?

Social media erupted almost immediately. Arsenal fans were quick to compare the incident with similar tackles in the past, most notably involving their own players. One tweet captured the sentiment perfectly: “Can add that Norgaard challenge to the ‘if Xhaka did that’ category.”

Another fan, @adamkeys_, lashed out: “Norgaard getting a yellow card for a scissor tackle from behind. Arsenal fans can never be loud enough about refereeing incompetence. Compare that to all the reds we’ve had this season.”

The challenge itself was brutal. Martinelli was sandwiched between Nørgaard’s legs in mid-run — an impact that could have easily led to a broken leg or ligament damage. That the Brazilian got up and continued playing only speaks to his resilience, not the legitimacy of the tackle.

@Rory_Talks_Ball added: “Just recall Lewis-Skelly’s overturned red card when watching that yellow card for Norgaard.” The comparison highlights how inconsistent refereeing decisions can be, especially when it comes to Arsenal.

For context, Myles Lewis-Skelly, one of Arsenal’s youth standouts, saw a red card overturned after VAR intervention in a recent match — a much softer challenge than what Nørgaard unleashed on Martinelli.

The foul quickly became a meme too. Even betting brand Paddy Power weighed in humorously: “Norgaard with the tackle of a hungover Sunday League striker.” While funny on the surface, the comment points to a deeper truth: challenges like that have no place in the modern professional game.

@lipavertz, another Arsenal supporter, didn’t hold back either: “Norgaard wore that Madrid shirt to training and is doing too much now, fucking weirdo.” This referred to the viral image of Nørgaard training in a vintage Real Madrid kit days before the match — something fans now associate with his overly aggressive, almost villain-like energy.

Despite the online outcry, no retrospective action was taken by the FA at the time of writing. That decision adds insult to injury for Arsenal fans, who feel the club has been unfairly targeted by referees this season. Many pointed to red cards handed out to their own players for much less severe offenses.

The absence of VAR intervention in the Nørgaard incident is another point of contention. With all the technology available to modern officials, why was such a dangerous tackle not reviewed properly? It raises uncomfortable questions about consistency and bias in refereeing.

Arsenal fans now worry about Martinelli’s fitness going forward. Although he finished the match, there’s concern that the after-effects of the challenge could surface later. The Brazilian has already had his fair share of injury setbacks and is a key figure in Arteta’s attacking plans.

Arteta, speaking post-match, didn’t mince his words. While careful not to criticize the officials directly, his tone was sharp. “I don’t want to talk about referees,” he said, “but I think everyone saw what happened.”

Even rival fans chimed in, with some admitting that Nørgaard was lucky to escape a red. Others, however, played down the challenge — a typical divide whenever controversial tackles happen in high-stakes games.

Ultimately, this incident isn’t just about one tackle. It’s about the growing frustration among Arsenal fans who feel that their team is not getting fair treatment on the pitch. With every questionable decision, the distrust in Premier League officiating only deepens.

It remains to be seen if the league will address this, but the damage is already done in the eyes of Gooners. Christian Nørgaard may have escaped punishment on the day, but the court of public opinion has already delivered its verdict.

And for Gabriel Martinelli? He may have survived this tackle, but every such incident is a reminder of how quickly a promising career can be jeopardized by recklessness — and worse, by poor officiating.