sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • 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
  • 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

Lerone Murphy details ‘bucket list’ fight ahead of UFC LondonChris Unger/Zuffa LLC“All we want is people who really want to die for the shirt” – Danny Dyer talks West Ham, football agents and the toughest firms in the gameOne Last DealWhy Donald Trump lacks power on Iran's participation at World Cup as 'likely decision date' revealedGetty“We are here to win” - Nico Hulkenberg sets clear goal for Audi F1 entryGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Mexico issue statement as Iran ask to move World Cup games outside US

    Iran asked FIFA whether they could play their World Cup matches outside of the United States.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Premier League club to complete transfer in March as player arrives for medical

    The player has flown into London for a medical ahead of a mooted £28.5 million transfer.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    How Premier League can secure fifth Champions League spot as UEFA rankings updated

    The UEFA co-efficient rankings have been updated after the latest Champions League fixtures.

    Football
  • TNT Sports
    2 hours ago

    Joe Hart loses his head and screams out after astonishing moment in Spurs vs Atletico game

    Joe Hart was on commentary duty for Spurs' Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid and let out a scream.

    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