FULHAM 1-2 ARSENAL: FA awards Bukayo Saka last minutes goal, Issue an apologetic statement and suspends the referee
The Premier League’s Match Centre has explained why William Saliba’s equaliser for Arsenal against Fulham was allowed to stand, and why Bukayo Saka’s late goal was disallowed.
Saliba tapped home Kai Havertz’s header from close range to bring the Gunners level early in the second half of their London derby. It initially looked as though the goal would be chalked off for offside, though, with players from the home side appealing.
On closer inspection, though, it emerged that Antonee Robinson’s left boot played the French defender onside by the smallest of margins. “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Saliba was in an onside position,” the Premier League’s social media statement read.
Later, Arsenal thought they had scored a last-gasp winner when Bukayo Saka headed home a Gabriel Martinelli cross. That goal was ultimately chalked off, though, with VAR finding that Martinelli had strayed offside in the build-up.
“Saka’s goal was initially awarded on-field. VAR checked and determined that Martinelli was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed,” a Premier League statement on the disallowed winner read.
Arsenal went in behind at the break thanks to a Raul Jimenez goal. Saliba’s leveller helped stave off defeat, but Mikel Arteta’s side couldn’t find a winner.
The draw helped bring Arsenal within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who saw their Saturday match against Everton postponed. The league leaders have a game in hand due to that cancellation, while Chelsea can move back above Arteta’s men with a draw or win against Tottenham in Sunday’s late game.
