The ‘Big Six’ teams who get the most lenient ref treatment and the shock contender for harshest bookings as stats show why Arsenal are WRONG to moan

Data surveying Premier League discipline has revealed Liverpool are benefitting from the most lenient treatment by referees out of the traditional ‘Big Six’ teams this season. 

The age-old debate over referees reared its head again at the weekend as Arsenal fumed when William Saliba was shown a red card for hacking down Bournemouth striker Evanilson when he was the last man standing in Saturday’s shock 2-0 defeat.

Mikel Arteta later decided against appealing the sending off that means Saliba will be unavailable for the weekend’s huge contest against league leaders Liverpool.

PGMOL Officials were then blasted by Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil a day later after Man City defender John Stones scored a stoppage time winner at Molineux, with the decision proving controversial as Bernardo Silva stood near the goalkeeper in an offside position.

Speaking after the match, O’Neill brazenly accused officials of being unconsciously biased towards the traditional top six clubs, venting: ‘There is no chance that people are doing things against Wolves on purpose, but is there something in the subconscious? Are you more likely to give it to Man City than Wolves?

Liverpool receive the least amount of bookings amongst the ‘Big Six’ for the number of fouls committed in each game

Manchester United have twice seen captain Bruno Fernandes sent off this season

Mikel Arteta (left) has previously fumed over referees in the Premier League while Arne Slot (right) will be delighted knowing his team are punished the least out of the ‘Big Six’ sides

‘My senses are heightened when we’re against Pep. Are the officials the same? They guarantee me there isn’t [bias] but they are human. Maybe there is something subconscious that means we’re less likely to get them.

‘If I had to upset someone in a street and there was a little guy and a big guy, I’m upsetting the little guy. Nothing against little guys. But there is something in there and they [referees] definitely don’t do it on purpose,’ he added.

O’Neil has since been asked by the Football Association to clarify his comments and Opta has now revealed what teams are given the rub of the green when it comes to cards being shown.

Liverpool supporters can be happy knowing their side are booked the least when it comes to the amount of fouls they get away with before a card is brandished.

Arne Slot’s side currently average 5.3 fouls for every yellow card shown this season, with title challengers Arsenal following close behind with an average of 4.6 fouls.

Tottenham just beat their London rivals to second spot in the rankings with a card shown to one of their players every 4.9 fouls committed as the actions of referees continues to be scrutinised.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s title rivals and reigning champions Manchester City receive the harshest treatment from referees with Pep Guardiola’s stars being booked every 2.8 fouls committed.

Stats show Manchester City are treated the most harshly by referees out of the ‘Big Six’ teams this season

Chelsea can complain of similar unfortunes with the Blues averaging a booking every 2.9 fouls, while Man United find middle ground with a player sanctioned after an average of 3.3 infringements.

The PGMOL have been keen to crack down on discipline this season with players being punished on more frequently for timewasting as Arsenal have found out the hard way.

Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have both been given early marching orders on separate occasions for kicking the ball away, while Saliba’s weekend sending off means the Gunners top the list for most red cards issued this season (3).

However, Man United recently had a red card shown to captain Bruno Fernandes rescinded after VAR was found to have made a mistake in not reversing his sending off against Tottenham.