3 things we learned from Chelsea and Arsenal’s 0-0 draw

No goals were scored between Chelsea and Arsenal on Sunday, and no open play goals were deserved. However, their match probably shouldn’t have ended scoreless. The story of the day was the performance of referee Michael Oliver, who gave no penalties when he could have easily given three.

The clearest came in the 15th minute, when David Ospina cleared out Oscar. How he didn’t see it as a foul was anyone’s guess, though Hector Bellerin clearing the ball off the line probably means Ospina didn’t deserve red. Oscar looked seriously dazed after taking the shot from Ospina, but continued to play. At halftime, he was substituted and taken to the hospital.

Chelsea should have had a penalty again in the 23rd minute, when Santi Cazorla clipped Cesc Fabregas. Oliver showed Fabregas a yellow for diving, despite there being clear contact. Oliver also missed a handball in the 34th minute, when he failed to spot Gary Cahill blocking a Cazorla shot with his arm.

The best open play chance of the first half came in the 38th minute, when Willian played Ramires in on goal, but he hit his shot right at Ospina.

Very little happened in the second half until the very end, when Arsenal finally went all out in search of a winner. The Gunners double-whiffed on two great chances in stoppage time, with Mesut Özil and Danny Welbeck both failing to make good contact with the ball when they could have scored.

Goals: None.

Goals: None.

1. Michael Oliver needs to sit down - There were three stonewall penalties in the first half. Michael Oliver had a good look at all of them. He gave none of them. Since the Football League season wraps up next week, perhaps it’s best if Oliver just sits out refereeing for the rest of the season, period. Go have a vacation and come back in August refreshed, Michael.

2. The concussion protocol is a joke - Oscar was pretty clearly hurt when he took a blow from Ospina in the first half. His eyes rolled back and he appeared to temporarily lose motor function, and was obviously hurt enough that the Chelsea staff felt the need to send him to the hospital at halftime. So why, exactly, was he allowed to play 30 minutes hurt when the concussion protocol states a player has to be taken off if they have a suspected concussion? Surely Chelsea had some suspicion that he might have a concussion in the 15th minute?

3. Games suck when there’s no incentive to take risks - Chelsea have the title won. A draw is a good result for Arsenal and increases their chances of finishing in the top three, therefore avoiding the Champions League playoffs. It’s unsurprising that these factors led to a game with very few chances, especially in the second half.