• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
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

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.

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.

Advert

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.

Advert

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.

Advert

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."

Advert

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_

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • 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

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Ruben Amorim Decides Futures of Two Man Utd Players After Brighton Win

    Manchester United are on a three-match winning streak.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Russia Launch Shock Bid to Replace Italy as Euro 2032 Host Despite UEFA Ban

    Euro 2032 is set to be co-hosted by Italy and Turkey.

    Football
  • JMEnternational / Contributor via Getty
    2 hours ago

    Wayne Rooney Targets New Job but There's A Huge Problem

    The Manchester United legend has struggled in his managerial career but is now eyeing a new role.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Premier League Set to 'Abandon' Boxing Day in Controversial Fixture Change

    Calendar pressures has forced the Premier League's hands.

    Football