Arsenal prevailed in a feverish 3-2 victory over Liverpool to retain their pole position in the Premier League, but it certainly wasn’t without controversy.
Perhaps the most contentious passage of play involved a possible handball after Diogo Jota’s attempted cross on 15 minutes appeared to strike Gabriel’s hand, which was flailing in an unnatural position.
Why Gabriel handball wasn’t given a penalty? The ball struck his chest firstpic.twitter.com/bMOjkJRG6w
— Jonathan (@DarkestJonatha1) October 10, 2022
The Premier League has since referred outraged players and fans to their revision of handball laws prior to the start of the season which reads: “The proximity of the player whose hand or arm makes contact with the ball to where the ball was struck from will still be an important consideration for officials when making a decision to award handball or not.”
However, the Liverpool faithful have also attempted to spotlight another potential officiating mishap, which occurred in the build-up to Gabriel Martinelli’s first minute strike.
Bukayo Saka received a ball from Ben White before moving it on to assist-maker Martin Odegaard prior to Martinelli’s finish, but Saka’s positioning meant none of the five cameras in the ground that were being utilised by VAR officials at Stockley Park could spot Saka after White’s pass.
According to reports, offside lines could not be virtually drawn because both players failed to fit within the frame. Viewers watching live on television will have seen the ‘tactical camera’ positioned on the half-way line, but that isn’t calibrated to determine offsides.
Not sticking up for them but isn’t Saka offside in the build up? pic.twitter.com/PrKkrj9WLl
— Chris Williams (@ChrisW1991_) October 9, 2022
This VAR ‘loophole’ suggests the technology still has significant room for improvement; on-field referee Mike Oliver had no choice but to award the early goal for Arsenal, who are 7/1 to win the league in current football betting, following an inconclusive check by VAR official Darren England.
This comes after another week brimming with contentious decisions, including a possible handball prior to Gianluca Scamacca’s goal for West Ham, as well as two similar scenarios involving goals scored by Michail Antonio and Marcus Rashford with one being given and one overturned due to a handball.
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