Joao Pedro's 'controversial' penalty for Brighton vs Arsenal analysed: 'What is VAR doing?'
Joao Pedro won and converted a penalty after William Saliba made contact with the forward's head as they contested a high ball; the Arsenal defender made a slight touch with the ball before clashing with Pedro; Arsenal now five points behind Liverpool having played two more games
Sunday 5 January 2025 20:39, UK
Sky Sports News pundits Jay Bothroyd and Clinton Morrison have both questioned how VAR failed to spot William Saliba's touch on the ball in the controversial penalty incident that saw Brighton deny Arsenal victory.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said "I've never seen a decision like this in my career" after Arsenal's Premier League title challenge was dealt a blow by a debatable penalty award in a 1-1 draw at Brighton.
With Arsenal leading 1-0 through Ethan Nwaneri's early opener, Joao Pedro went down after clashing heads with Saliba as they both contested for a lopping ball.
Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot and VAR agreed with the call as there was "sufficient contact" from the Arsenal defender, despite certain angles clearly showing Saliba getting a touch on the ball just before catching Pedro.
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Speaking on Sky Sports News, Boothroyd and Morrison were staggered by VAR's failure to overturn the on-field decision because of the touch on the ball from the defender.
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"It wasn't a penalty," Boothroyd said.
"Initially, when I first did see it at full pace and from the first two angles, I did think it was a penalty. However, it is the third replay from another angle where you see Saliba touch the ball with his head.
"When he touches the ball with his head, it's not a penalty."
He added: "Joao Pedro has gone down like he's been hit in the face with a bat but ultimately, Saliba has got the ball.
"It's not a penalty because there's a touch on the ball. It's just a bad decision.
"The only thing I'd look at is because the ball has landed where Pedro wants to run, the referee has looked at it and thought it's a penalty, but when you look at all the angles we are privileged to see, it's not a penalty."
'What is VAR doing?'
Morrison agreed and questioned the involvement of Paul Tierney and Dan Cook, who were on VAR duty at Stockley Park for the game at the Amex Stadium.
"I don't blame the referee, I blame VAR," Morrison said.
"What is VAR doing up there?
"This is the first time I've seen the incident but after three replays I can clearly see the touch on the ball from the defender.
"From the referee's angle, I'd have said penalty. But after watching it two or three times it is just not a penalty."
Sometimes we say they take too long over decisions but that is crucial for Arsenal. Arsenal are going for the Premier League title. The dropped points could be crucial for Arsenal come the end of the season. Take your time and see all the angles. If we've seen it this quick, how can the officials not see it?
He added: "Send him to the monitor.
"I don't care if Anthony Taylor is one of the best referees around. Send him to the screen.
"Sometimes it feels like VAR are worried to send the top referees to the monitor and overrule him.
"But everyone can make mistakes. That is what VAR is there for. It's there to help."
'Decision could prove crucial for Arsenal's title hopes'
Pedro's successful spot kick meant Arsenal are now five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool having played two games more, and Boothroyd insists more time should have been taken over such a key decision in the game and potentially the title rce.
"With VAR, sometimes they take ages with an offside decision that I know is offside straight away," Boothroyd said.
"Then you see events like this one where it is something they should take their time on and look at properly. Obviously, I think they've got this one wrong.
"These are the sort of points dropped that will cost Arsenal.
"When you look at the whole game, towards the end Arsenal were holding on.
"Brighton played really well in the second half. Let's give them a lot of credit. Fabian Hurzeler made some really good substitutions that came on and affected the game.
"But ultimately, it's the penalty that has stopped Arsenal getting the result they needed."
