Sky Sports News Pundits Jay Boothroyd and Clinton Morrison have questioned how VAR failed to detect William Saliba's touch on the ball in the controversial penalty incident that saw Brighton deny Arsenal a win.
“I have never seen a decision like this in my career,” Gunners coach Mikel Arteta said. After Arsenal's challenge for the Premier League title was conceded by a controversial penalty kick in a match 1-1 draw with Brighton.
With Arsenal leading 1-0 through Ethan Nwaneri's early opener, Joao Pedro went down after clashing heads with Saliba as they competed for the ball.
Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot and VAR accepted the call as there was “sufficient contact” from the Arsenal defender, although some angles clearly show Saliba handled the ball before he caught Pedro.
talk on Sky Sports NewsBoothroyd and Morrison were left stunned by VAR's failure to overturn the on-field decision due to a defender handling the ball.
“It wasn't a penalty,” Boothroyd said.
“At first, when I first saw it at full speed and from the first two angles, I thought it was a penalty kick. However, it is the third replay from another angle where you see Saliba header the ball.
“When he touches the ball with his head, it is not a penalty kick.”
He added: “Joao Pedro fell as if he had been hit in the face with a bat, but in the end, Saliba got the ball.
“It's not a penalty for handling the ball. It's just a bad decision.
“The only thing I was looking at was that the ball landed where Pedro wanted to run, the referee looked at it and thought it was a penalty kick, but when you look at all the angles, we are honored to see, it is not a penalty kick.” penalty.”
“What does the VAR do?”
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Jamie Redknapp and Steve Sidwell discuss Brighton's penalty kick against Arsenal and criticize Arsenal's centre-back duo Gabriel and William Saliba, describing their defense as 'a mess'.
Morrison agreed and questioned the involvement of Paul Tierney and Dan Cook, who were operating VAR at Stockley Park, in the match at the Amex Stadium.
Morrison said: “I don't blame the referee, I blame the VAR.”
“What is VAR doing there?
“This is the first time I've seen this incident, but after three replays, I can clearly see the defender's touch of the ball.
“From the referee's point of view, I would have said a penalty kick. But after watching it two or three times, it's not a penalty kick.”
Sometimes we say they take too long to make decisions, but this is crucial for Arsenal. Arsenal is seeking the English Premier League title. The points lost could be crucial for Arsenal at the end of the season. Take your time and see all angles. If we saw it so quickly, how could the officials not see it?
“Send it to the controller,” he added.
“I don't care if Anthony Taylor is one of the best referees ever. Send him to the screen.
“Sometimes it feels like VAR is worried about sending the top referees to the screen and calling it off.
“But anyone can make mistakes. That's why VAR exists. It's there to help.”
“The decision could be decisive for Arsenal’s title hopes.”
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Mikel Arteta says he is very disappointed Brighton were awarded a penalty and claims William Saliba handled the ball before making contact with Joao Pedro's head.
Pedro's successful penalty means Arsenal are now five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool having played two games more, and Boothroyd insists they should have been given more time to make such an important decision in the game and potentially in the title race.
“With VAR, it takes a long time sometimes when I make an offside decision that I know is offside straight away,” Boothroyd said.
“Then you see events like this where they have to take their time and look at it properly. Obviously I think they got this wrong.
Brighton's Joao Pedro equalizes from a penalty kick (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
“This is the kind of points I gave away that will cost Arsenal.
“When you look at the whole match, in the end Arsenal were composed.
“Brighton played really well in the second half. Let's give them a lot of credit. Fabian Horzler made some really good substitutions which affected the game.
“But in the end, it was the penalty kick that prevented Arsenal from achieving the result they needed.”