Arsenal fans in disbelief at what ex-Premier League ref said about William Saliba penalty incident live on Sky

Arsenal fans have been reacting on social media after hearing what a former Premier League referee said about the William Saliba penalty incident.

On Saturday evening, Mikel Arteta's men looked to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool against Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium.

The Gunners went ahead after Ethan Nwaneri's goal in the 16th minute.

However, in the second half, Arsenal were pegged back after Joao Pedro scored from 12 yards to make it 1-1 with 61 minutes on the clock.

Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot after Gunners centre-back Saliba collided with Pedro inside the area.

Replays showed that the pair had a clash of heads and Saliba was adjudged to have been the culprit.

Speaking about the decision on Sky's Ref Watch, former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher said: "Certainly interesting. You can see, but once you see and once Anthony Taylor gives a penalty you start examining it, you can’t unsee it.

"And once you see Pedro heads the ball onto Saliba’s head. Well, some people say ‘Well he [Saliba] got the ball’, he didn’t, the ball struck him, and he got hit."

Gallagher added: "He [Saliba] does catch him [Pedro] with his head, he’s stood up as well so it looks even worse. I think the referee gives a penalty on field, the VAR has no right to overturn it."

“People might say Saliba gets the ball… well he doesn’t, the ball gets him”

Dermot Gallagher - 2025
pic.twitter.com/YhP2VL2WOO

— Rory Talks Football (@Rory_Talks_Ball) January 6, 2025

Reacting on social media, one fan said: "Ah yeah Saliba doesn’t win the ball the ball magically hits him."

Another tweeted: "You’re literally just trolling us at this point."

A third fan added: "‘He didn’t get the ball, the ball got him’, makes total sense Dermot!"

Someone else wrote: "Saliba made an attempt to head the ball, connected with the ball but according to this guy the ball hit him on the head."

Speaking about the incident, Arteta said: "I have never seen a decision like this in my career. I have never seen it in my life. Saliba touches the ball."

In the end, Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton, meaning they failed to make ground on leaders Liverpool, who drew 2-2 against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal are back in action on Tuesday night when they take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.