The Premier League’s Match Centre has provided clarification on key officiating decisions from Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Fulham, including William Saliba’s equalizer and Bukayo Saka’s disallowed goal late in the match.
Saliba’s second-half goal proved pivotal, as the French defender skillfully converted Kai Havertz’s close-range effort. Fulham players immediately contested the decision, claiming Saliba was offside. However, a VAR review confirmed that Antonee Robinson of Fulham had narrowly kept Saliba onside, allowing the goal to stand.
A Premier League statement explained the decision, noting, “The referee’s call to award the goal was reviewed and upheld by the Video Assistant Referee, as Saliba was deemed to be onside.” This clarification put an end to the debate surrounding the equalizer.
Fulham had taken the lead early in the match through Raul Jimenez, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. Despite Arsenal dominating possession throughout the game, Mikel Arteta’s team failed to convert their control into additional goals, leaving the match level at the final whistle.
The draw leaves Arsenal six points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, who did not play over the weekend due to the postponement of their Merseyside derby against Everton. Meanwhile, Chelsea overtook Arsenal in the standings after their victory over Tottenham.
Manchester City, the defending champions, also dropped points, drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace. This result leaves them two points behind Arsenal, with manager Pep Guardiola acknowledging the mounting challenges his squad faces this season.
Arsenal’s performance has raised concerns about their ability to maintain a sustained push for the Premier League title. With critical fixtures on the horizon, questions remain about their consistency and resilience.
The weekend’s results underscore the intense competition at the top of the Premier League table, as teams continue to battle for dominance in a season full of unpredictable twists and turns.
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