The reason VAR did not change the penalty decision given to Brighton against Arsenal, despite new footage emerging, lies in the officials’ evaluation of the incident.
During the match at The Amex, Brighton’s Joao Pedro went down following what seemed to be a minor head clash with Arsenal’s William Saliba. Referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty, sparking strong reactions from Arsenal players and fans.
Pedro converted the penalty, maintaining his perfect record from the spot. This moment had significant implications for the title race, as it gave Liverpool the chance to extend their lead over Manchester United in their next match.
Although Arsenal fans called for VAR to review the decision, Taylor’s original call remained largely supported. The VAR team concluded there was insufficient evidence to overturn the decision.
They judged that Saliba’s contact with Pedro was enough to justify the penalty, as overturning a call requires clear proof of an error.
Despite this, Arsenal fans remain dissatisfied, pointing to social media and replays that suggest Saliba may have touched the ball before the collision. Critics argue that VAR should have more thoroughly analyzed the footage.
Some replays show Saliba possibly making slight contact with the ball, but the impact with Pedro would likely be considered a foul in other parts of the field.
Moreover, Arsenal might feel fortunate that Saliba wasn’t shown a red card, as a deliberate headbutt could have warranted such a punishment.
This latest refereeing controversy places Arsenal at the center of another debate, and after last season’s issues with the PGMOL, Mikel Arteta is likely to be very frustrated.
