My subjective view is that the EPL Brand needs a title race for selling TV rights around the world. In both the Arsenal and City games the officiating was biased towards those clubs with the intent of maintaining the "title Race".It was shocking refereeing. Their second goal was not a free kick. Their fourth goal (if it were us) would have been disallowed for both feet at the keeper. so discount those (it would have happened if the teams were reversed). Gross foul continued into the box (potentially 1-2. Handball by Ake to stop Adingra cross - arm in unnatural position (potentially 2-2). Obvious foul on Pedro (potentially 3-2).
Personally I wish the 'Big 6' had have fuvked off to the European Super league a few years ago. It would have been a much nicer place without them and the sycophantic officials that seem to bend to their every whim.
Rant over.
PS....The Spanish commentators on DAZN could not believe that 2 penalties were not even checked as they were obvious, and they couldn't stop laughing and discussing Foden's slip of the feet in the box.
The penalty decisions for Arsenal and against The Albion tonight plus every time a City player fell over a free kick was given but when Joël Veltman was clearly being pulled back the referee waved play on. These are at least circumstantial evidence to my view. Add to this the immediate flagging for every offside when the ball was played forward so play was not allowed to develop like it does it almost every other match, which negates any involvement by VAR.
I do not believe that there are specific instructions to favour the "title Racers" but it sure helps sell TV rights when there is a two or three club race.