Sky Sports News Pundits Jay Bothroyd and Clinton Morrison have both questioned how VAR failed to spot William Saliba’s touch on the ball in the controversial penalty incident that denied Brighton a win for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta, the head coach of “Armors”, said: “I have never seen such a decision in my career.” after Arsenal were awarded the Premier League title thanks to a controversial penalty Draw 1-1 at Brighton.
With Arsenal 1-0 up early on through Ethan Nwaneri, Joao Pedro went down after a head-butt with Saliba as the two tussled for a loose ball.
Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot and VAR upheld the call as there was “enough contact” from the Arsenal defender, although from some angles it was clear that Saliba touched the ball just before Pedro was caught.
Speaking Sky Sports NewsBoothroyd and Morrison were stunned that VAR failed to overturn an on-field decision due to a defender touching the ball.
“It wasn’t a penalty,” Boothroyd said.
“At first when I saw it at full speed and from the first two angles, I thought it was a penalty. However, this is the third replay from a different angle when you see Saliba head the ball.
“When he heads the ball, it’s not a penalty.”
He added: “Joao Pedro went down like he’d been hit in the face with a bat, but in the end Saliba got the ball.
“It’s not a penalty because there’s a touch on the ball, it’s just a bad decision.
“The only thing I would look at is the ball landed where Pedro wants to run, the referee looked at it and thought it was a penalty, but when you look at all the angles we are privileged to see, it’s not a fine.”
“What does VAR do?”
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Jamie Redknapp and Steve Sidwell discuss Brighton’s penalty shoot-out against Arsenal and criticize Gunners defensive pair Gabriel and William Saliba, describing their defense as “chaotic”.
Morrison agreed and questioned the involvement of Paul Tierney and Dan Cook, who were on VAR duty for the game at Stokely Park at the Amex Stadium.
“I don’t blame the referee, I blame VAR,” Morrison said.
“What is VAR doing there?
“This is the first time I’ve seen the incident, but after three replays I can clearly see the defender touching the ball.
“From the referee’s point of view, I would say a penalty. But after watching it two or three times, it’s not just a penalty.”
Sometimes we say they are taking too long, but it is very important for Arsenal. Arsenal are going for the Premier League title. Dropped points could be crucial for Arsenal after the season. Take your time and look at all the angles. If we’ve seen it so quickly, how could the officials not see it?
He added: “Send him to the monitor.
“I don’t care if Anthony Taylor is one of the best referees. Send him on the screen.
“Sometimes it feels like VAR is concerned about sending top referees to the monitor and overturning him.
“But everyone can make mistakes. That’s what VAR is there to help.”
“The decision could be decisive for Arsenal’s championship hopes”
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Mikel Arteta says he is very disappointed at Brighton being awarded a penalty and insists William Saliba touched the ball before it made contact with Joao Pedro’s head.
Pedro’s header meant Arsenal are now five points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand, and Boothroyd insists more time should have been given to such a crucial game and possibly , for the title.
“With VAR, sometimes they take ages with an offside decision that I know is immediately offside,” Boothroyd said.
“Then you see events like this where they have to take their time and look properly. I think they got this one wrong.
Brighton’s Joao Pedro equalizes from the penalty spot (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
“These are the kind of points lost that will cost Arsenal.”
“When you look at the whole game, Arsenal resisted until the end.
“Brighton played really well in the second half. Let’s give them a lot of credit. Fabian Hurtzeler made some really good substitutions that came on and affected the game.
“But ultimately it was the penalty that prevented Arsenal from getting the result they needed.
