Arsenal fans on Twitter have no idea how Ashley Barnes was on the pitch to score yesterday

Yesterday saw Arsenal kick off the Premier League’s Saturday action in the early kick-off against Burnley at The Emirates. A Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang double either side of half-time gave them a 2-0 lead before Ashley Barnes pulled one back to set up a nervy finish, but the Gunners were fuming as Barnes could have seen red before his goal.
Barnes sweeps home from close range to pull one back for Burnley#ARSBUR 2-1 (63)
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) 22 December 2018
When it comes to festive football, you often see players picking up suspensions that see them conveniently miss the Christmas period, and yesterday it looked like Ashley Barnes was desperate to have the festive season off. The 29-year-old forward was involved in a number of incidents throughout the game, and on another day there would have been no shock amongst the fans if he’d been dismissed.
In the first half the striker got caught in a couple of tangles with Arsenal’s colossal defensive unit that is Sokratis Papastathopoulos, and whilst the Greek defender held his ground and did his job, Barnes was getting visibly frustrated. Then, in the second half the Sky cameras caught the experienced Burnley man stamping down on Matteo Guendouzi, which could easily have earned him a second yellow, if not a straight red, had the referee seen it.
You can read the Gunners’ frustrations as Barnes scored here:
Barnes shouldn't even be on the pitch ffs
— HK (@HassanUK01) December 22, 2018
Should not be on the pitch
— Ben (@BenWatsonAFC) 22 December 2018
How is he even on the pitch wow
— Nithin N (@Fabinthin04) December 22, 2018
Shouldn't even be on the pitch smh
— Elliot Lane (@ElliotLane11) December 22, 2018
He shouldn't even be on the pitch!
— Ben (@ThatDamnHoare) December 22, 2018
He shouldn't even be on the pitch.
— Thomas Coulter (@makeurluck44) December 22, 2018
Really making the most of that borrowed time he’s on. How does he not get a second yellow for trying to stamp on Guendouzi?
— Gareth Cartwright (@GJCartwright) December 22, 2018
the player who was supposed to be red card
— Половецкие Хаски (@arslok) December 22, 2018
The Arsenal fans were fuming as Barnes made good on his lifeline after being allowed to stay on the pitch, even if he did his utmost to be dismissed and spend some time at home this Christmas.
