sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
William Saliba's comments on Martin Odegaard's handball against Liverpool are causing a stir
Home>Football>Football News>Arsenal
Published 22:36 23 Dec 2023 GMT

William Saliba's comments on Martin Odegaard's handball against Liverpool are causing a stir

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard appeared to handle the ball inside the area against Liverpool but no penalty was given

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

William Saliba's honest admission on the Martin Odegaard handball incident may well upset Mikel Arteta.

Saliba was named Man of the Match in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, where Mo Salah cancelled out Gabriel Magalhaes' early opener.

The result means Arsenal remain one point clear ahead of Liverpool at the top of the table for Christmas.

Advert

But there was huge controversy in the meeting as Liverpool were controversially denied a penalty in the first half.

The ball struck the hand of skipper Odegaard inside the 18-yard box while he slipped but referee Chris Kavanagh did not point to the spot.

The incident went to VAR but the original on-field decision stood, much to the frustration of Liverpool fans.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

At half-time, Sky Sports shared PGMOL's explanation that the penalty was not given as it was "not a clear and obvious error", with it being claimed that Odegaard's arm was moving towards the body.

However, Arsenal defender Saliba admitted that his side got away with one and that a spot-kick should be have been awarded.

Asked if Arsenal should have conceded a penalty, the Frenchman told ViaPlay.

"Of course, of course it was a penalty. But I am not the referee."

Unlike in recent times when decisions have gone against his team, Mikel Arteta did not place much of a focus on the incident in his post-match interviews.

However, Jurgen Klopp was baffled as to how the handball wasn't given by those in Stockley Park.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

"I'm pretty sure someone will explain it to me and say it wasn't a handball but I don't know how," Klopp told Sky Sports.

"I won't say the referee can't see it because I have no clue where he was at that moment. But when somebody sits in their office, how can they not come to the conclusion that it might be worth having another look."

Arsenal take on West Ham on Thursday, while Liverpool travelling to Burnley.

Featured Image Credit: ViaPlay

Topics: Arsenal, Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

Thierry Henry picks player who will surprise everyone at World Cup – ‘There’s a guy people don’t know about...’GettyRonnie O’Sullivan says snooker star can win 'multiple world titles' and gives update on futureGetty'The only thing he can do is now is tar his career...' - Arnold Allen gives damning verdict on Conor McGregor's comebackGetty ImagesGareth Barry on Thomas Tuchel advice, England squad picks and World Cup: 'He’ll be fighting'Getty

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    Final Champions League spot could be decided by play-off as unthinkable scenario unfolds

    This has never happened before, but it's genuinely possible with a game left to play in the Premier League.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    8 hours ago

    Declan Rice has the coldest response to Arsenal’s first Premier League title win in 22 years

    Arsenal are the 2026 Premier League champions and Rice made sure to celebrate.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    8 hours ago

    'I've studied Pep for a while' - Micah Richards reacts to Pep Guardiola's response to exit rumours

    Richards also said Manchester City's players went against the club's ethos as they surrendered the Premier League title to Arsenal.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    9 hours ago

    Pep Guardiola responds to rumours he will leave Manchester City after Premier League title loss

    The Manchester City boss has finally broken his silence on the rumours.

    Football
  • Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp slams VAR over Martin Odegaard 'handball' incident
  • Liverpool fans furious as VAR denies them 'stonewall' penalty against Arsenal
  • Bukayo Saka issues apology to Liverpool star for 'hard to swallow' incident in Arsenal draw
  • Aaron Ramsdale risked angering Arsenal teammates when naming the best outfield player he'd played with