The fact we had 4/5 decent penalty shouts today non of which were given (including at least 1 that I consider stonewall) then yes, the officials were incompetent today as well.
It’s either incompetence or it could be corruption, tbh I haven’t decided, but I just don’t think it’s a conspiracy (to make sure arsenal win).
I suggest the ref in your game knew what he was doing. But it can be subjective according to the bias one has. Was he corrupt? One can only look at evidence in the game itself. When you are a City supporter you see refs operating under two standards.
“What we have done these four or five years and all we have achieved is because of Manchester City. Everything we did, we did it for ourselves" Pep Guardiola in 2018 and last season.
In other words no favours expected or given. But other teams do seem to get favours.
Pep Guardiola last week accused referees of double standards, saying Ederson was carded for time-wasting during City’s win at Arsenal but the “thousand million teams” that do the same at the Etihad Stadium have no action taken against them. That is a fact.
a lot of added time yesterday in the Arsenal game (and a lot of it in 4 games since 4th Feb : H Bournemouth 7 mins, @ Villa 9 mins, H Brentford 8 mins, @ Everton 6 mins.
So, in that sense, using hyperbole, not a few of us do think anyone except City has to win, because of the anti city bias - there doesn't appear to be an objective level playing field in this league. That's why we say we will do it ourselves without favours.
All anyone asks from the referees is basic equity or fairness across the board towards all twenty teams.