Arsenal fans in shock as Odegaard denied penalty by VAR but Silva controversially WINS spot-kick after review
ARSENAL fans were left raging at two massive VAR calls that both went against them in their late 2-1 loss at home to Manchester City.
In the first half, the referee’s controversial decision not to award a penalty after Ederson’s challenge on Martin Odegaard inside the City box was not overturned despite being reviewed.
And then in the second period, a challenge by Granit Xhaka – not initially punished – was overturned by VAR leading to Man City scoring an equaliser from the spot.
Fans were soon chanting, “how much are they paying you?” at the officials.
The Odegaard decision saw the Arsenal man appear to nudge the ball away from the Brazilian keeper’s boot just as he came sliding out, sending the Gunners playmaker crashing to the floor.
It looked like there was clear contact but there was a question of whether Ederson got the ball first before tackling the Norway international.
Referee Stuart Attwell believed the Brazil international played the ball and VAR agreed with him.
Things got worse in the second half after 53 minutes when Silva fell inside the opposite box while under pressure by Xhaka.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Most read in Football
Attwell ordered Silva to get up but VAR official Jarred Gillet advises the ref to reconsider and a spot-kick was awarded, which Riyad Mahrez converted four minutes later.
Arsenal’s misfortune at the hands of the referee only got worse when Gabriel was sent off for two quick bookings – the first of which was for SCUFFING the penalty spot before Mahrez’s spot-kick.
Rodri would go on to score a 93rd-minute winner as the hosts were unable to hang on to a point.
Arsenal fans have predictably lashed out at the official’s decision.
One fan tweeted: “This 100% a penalty. Ederson gets nothing on the ball. How can you not see that.”
Another echoed the previous sentiment: “How come was that not a penalty? There is no way Ederson touched the ball.”
A third posted: “Ederson clearly brings down Martin Odegaard, how is this not a penalty?”
This fan said: “Ederson’s massively gotten away with two penalties against Newcastle and Arsenal now.”
And that fan stated: “Is Ederson immune from giving away penalties? That’s 2 blatant fouls in a fortnight he’s got away with.”
Dissecting the first VAR decision on BT Sport, ex-referee Peter Walton said: “It needs to have clear evidence to overturn the decision.”
He concluded on the decision: “Quite correct”.
Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals