Sky Sports News Pundits Jay Bothroyd and Clinton Morrison have questioned how VAR failed to spot William Saliba's touch on the ball in the controversial penalty incident that denied Brighton victory at Arsenal.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said “I've never seen a decision like this in my career” after Arsenal's Premier League title challenge was dealt a blow by a disputed penalty ua 1-1 draw at Brighton.
With Arsenal leading 1-0 through Ethan Nwaneri's early opener, Joao Pedro went down after a head-on collision with Saliba as they both battled to clear the ball.
Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot and VAR agreed with the call as there was “sufficient contact” from the Arsenal defender, despite certain angles clearly showing Saliba touching the ball just before he tackled Pedro.
Let's talk further Sky Sports NewsBoothroyd and Morrison were stunned by VAR's failure to overturn a decision on the pitch due to a defender's touch on the ball.
“It wasn't a penalty,” Boothroyd said.
“At first, when I first saw it in full swing and from the first two corners, I thought it was a penalty. However, it's the third replay from the second corner where you see Saliba touch the ball with his head.
“When he touches the ball with his head, it's not a penalty.”
He added: “Joao Pedro went down like he'd been hit in the face with a bat, but in the end, Saliba got the ball.
“It is not a penalty because there is contact with the ball. It's just a bad decision.
“The only thing I would look at is because the ball landed where Pedro wants to run, the referee looked at it and thought it was a penalty, but when you look at it from all the angles that we're privileged to see, it's not a penalty.”
'What does VAR do?'
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Jamie Redknapp and Steve Sidwell discuss Brighton's penalty against Arsenal and are critical of Gunners defensive pair Gabriel and William Saliba, calling their defense 'chaotic'.
Morrison agreed and questioned the involvement of Paul Tierney and Dan Cook, who were on VAR duty at Stockley Park for the game at the Amex Stadium.
“I don't blame the referee, I blame VAR,” Morrison said.
“What is VAR doing up there?
“This is the first time I've seen the incident, but after three replays I can clearly see the defender touching the ball.
“From the referee's point of view, I would say a penalty. But after looking at it two or three times, it's just not a penalty.”
Sometimes we say they take too long to make decisions, but that's key for Arsenal. Arsenal are going for the Premier League title. Dropped points could be crucial for Arsenal at the end of the season. Take your time and look at all angles. If we saw it so quickly, how come the officials don't see it?
He added: “Send it to the monitor.
“I don't care if Anthony Taylor is one of the best referees. Send it to the screen.
“Sometimes VAR seems concerned about sending the referees to the monitor and overturning it.
“But everyone can make mistakes. That's what VAR is there for. He's there to help.”
'The decision could prove crucial to Arsenal's title hopes'
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Mikel Arteta says he is very disappointed Brighton were awarded a penalty and claims William Saliba touched the ball before it came into contact with Joao Pedro's head.
Pedro's successful spot-kick meant Arsenal are now five points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool with two games in hand, and Boothroyd insists more time should have been taken for such a crucial decision in the game and potentially clinching the title.
“With VAR, sometimes they wait a long time with an offside decision that I know is offside immediately,” Boothroyd said.
“Then you see events like this where they should take their time and look at it. Obviously, I think they got this wrong.
Brighton's Joao Pedro equalizes from the penalty spot (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
“These are the kind of points dropped that will cost Arsenal.
“When you look at the whole game, towards the end Arsenal held on.
“Brighton played really well in the second half. Let's give them a big credit. Fabian Hurzeler made some really good changes that happened and affected the game.
“But in the end it was the penalty that prevented Arsenal from getting the result they needed.”