The Premier League’s Match Centre has given a full run-down on the controversial moments in Arsenal’s match against Fulham, clarifying why William Saliba’s equalising goal was given the green light and Bukayo Saka’s late potential winner was ruled out.
Saliba managed to connect with Kai Havertz’s header at close range, equalising for the Gunners early in the second half of their disappointing 1-1 draw with Fulham. The goal looked to be in jeopardy of being ruled out for offside as Fulham players signalled their protests.
However, checking the footage revealed Antonee Robinson’s left boot had played the French defender onside by the slightest of margins. “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Saliba was in an onside position,” affirmed the Premier League via a social media update on X.
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Later on, Arsenal believed they had snatched a dramatic victory when Bukayo Saka nodded in Gabriel Martinelli’s cross. But celebrations were cut short as VAR deemed that Martinelli was offside during the play leading up to the goal.
“Saka’s goal was initially awarded on-field. VAR checked and determined that Martinelli was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed,” said the Premier League statement regarding the rescinded goal, reports the Mirror.
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Despite being down at half-time after Raul Jimenez’s strike, Saliba’s goal helped Arsenal avoid defeat, though Mikel Arteta’s team couldn’t secure all three points. The draw takes Arsenal within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, whose Saturday match against Everton was postponed. The league leaders have a game in hand due to that cancellation, while Chelsea could leapfrog Arteta’s team with a draw or victory against Tottenham in Sunday’s late fixture.
Ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson expressed his frustration at Martinelli being caught offside. “In football terms it’s criminal,” he commented on Sky Sports. “You’re looking across the line, you’ve got pace. I’ll be surprised if he isn’t on the receiving end of a telling-off from the manager. You could see it on his face, he knew. The one thing when looking across the line is you cannot be offside.”
(Image: PA)
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Despite dropping points against Fulham, Arsenal still sit above last season’s Premier League champions Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s team continued their challenging campaign on Saturday, drawing 2-2 away at Crystal Palace, and they remain two points behind the Gunners.
“This season started difficult and will be more difficult than last season,” Guardiola admitted. “We have to survive this season, every game, try to take points to win games and go forward. We know it and feel it and unfortunately we are also missing important players.”