BREAKING: Premier League finally release official statement on Arsenal penalty decision against Brighton after Anthony Taylor call – Congratulations Arsenal fans
BREAKING: Premier League finally release official statement on Arsenal penalty decision against Brighton after Anthony Taylor call – Congratulations Arsenal fans
The Premier League have released a statement on Brighton’s penalty call in their clash with Arsenal on Saturday evening.
It came in the second half as William Saliba challenged with Joao Pedro for the ball in the Arsenal penalty area.
The Frenchman appeared to clash heads with the Brazilian, missing the ball in the process and calling upon Anthony Taylor to make a decision.
The referee thought long and hard about it before awarding a spot kick to Brighton, which Pedro went on to smash beyond David Raya.
It came as a blow to Arsenal, another moment they will feel extremely frustrated by.
Premier League statement on penalty for Brighton vs Arsenal
There was plenty of frustration in the Arsenal ranks when Brighton were awarded the penalty, with players surrounding Taylor to vent over the decision.
It was given anyway, with the Video Assistant Referee deciding against overturning the call on the field for a penalty.
The Premier League, in their initiative to be clearer on VAR calls, has created the Premier League Match Centre account on social media to explain some calls.
They did so again for the penalty, taking to X to release a statement saying: “The referee’s call of penalty for a foul by Saliba on João Pedro was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty.”
https://twitter.com/PLMatchCentre/status/1875617794127229403
It’s a frustrating moment that Arsenal may not agree with but will have to accept if they are to pick themselves up again.
Arsenal legend Alan Smith discusses Brighton penalty
While a penalty was awarded for Brighton, one Arsenal legend seemed to be slightly puzzled by the call from Taylor.
Former striker Alan Smith said on Sky Sports: “Really unusual. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player give away a penalty like this.”
It was a rare penalty to have seen given, with little contact made between Saliba and Pedro, though an argument may be made that it was a challenge and the Arsenal defender missed the ball to foul the player.
It remains to be seen what Mikel Arteta thinks of the call, who already suffered some tough decisions in the reverse fixture against Brighton earlier in the season.
