Featured Image Credit: @HashUncloak
Topics: Arsenal, Football, Liverpool, Premier League, VAR, Fan Reactions
Luke Davies
Topics: Arsenal, Football, Liverpool, Premier League, VAR, Fan Reactions
Arsenal fans were left baffled after they thought they should’ve had a first-half penalty against Liverpool.
Arsenal went ahead early through Bukayo Saka, who outthought Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson on nine minutes before smashing into the roof of Caoimhín Kelleher’s goal.
However, Liverpool silenced the home fans with an equaliser nine minutes later, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner was flicked on by Luis Diaz before Virgil van Dijk headed home.
But, in another twist, on 43 minutes, Declan Rice whipped a pinpoint free-kick into the box, which Mikel Merino capitalised on to leave the home fans feeling confident heading for their half-time refreshments.
Despite the positive first 45 minutes, Arsenal fans expressed how they thought their side should’ve had a penalty in the first period.
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On the half-hour mark, Gabriel Martinelli made his way into the Liverpool box and was met by an attempted challenge from Alexander-Arnold before Ibrahima Konaté appeared to bring the Brazilian down with the follow-through of his challenge, but any complaints were waved away by the referee Anthony Taylor.
Fans gave their thoughts on social media.
One said: "19 of 20 teams get a penalty except Arsenal."
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A second added: "The game is gone."
With a third saying: "Genuinely never seen a more blatant penalty in my life, Konate literally goes through Martinelli with no contact on the ball and Trent there too. What on earth."
A fourth agreed: "Blatant penalty but it’s Arsenal so play on."
Even fans of Manchester United gave their thoughts after they conceded a late penalty in their 2-1 loss against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
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A Man Utd fan said: "That’s a penalty for Arsenal but they won’t give it because it’s against Liverpool and not Manchester United. Unlucky Arsenal."
The mood in the Emirates quickly turned from excitement to anxiousness when centre-back Gabriel was withdrawn after appearing to have sustained a knock meaning Jakub Kiwior was introduced as a makeshift central defender alongside Ben White who was already filling in for the suspended William Saliba. The extent of Gabriel's injury is still unknown but this will no doubt be put to Mikel Arteta after the game.
The Premier League responded to the penalty claims with a statement via the Premier League Match Centre X account, which read: "The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by Konate on Martinelli was checked and confirmed by VAR - deeming that Konate won the ball."