Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has said that the ref was wrong to award a penalty to Arsenal in their 2-0 win against Man United on Sunday.
Talking on Ref Watch on Sky Sports (Monday, 10am), Gallagher said, “I think no. I can understand why the ref gives it from his view, but when you see the front angle…
“He thinks he trips him but he doesn’t. There’s a slight coming together but it’s not enough to give a penalty.”
The penalty was decisive, giving Arsenal a 2-0 lead that United couldn’t claw back.
OPINION
It looked harsh at the time and even worse on second viewing. Gallagher is right to say it wasn’t a penalty, although he and the rest of the Sky pundits said they could all see why it was given. Would VAR have overruled it? No one really knows yet as it might be seen that it wasn’t a clear and palpable error. Regardless, Arsenal fans won’t care. They went into the game with many pundits predicting another United win, with the Red Devils unbeaten in the league since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over. Even Arsenal-made Perry Groves said the best Arsenal would get is a draw. Instead, the three points has to go down as one of their best results of the season and puts them bang on course for a top-four finish.