Arsenal fans fume that they have been ‘robbed’ as goal disallowed for ‘absolutely no reason’ in huge Porto clash
ARSENAL fans fumed after they saw Martin Odegaard’s goal ruled out for “absolutely no reason”.
The Gunners were pushing for a second goal in their must-win Champions League knockout clash at home to Porto.
And they thought they had it on 67 minutes when Odegaard finished into an empty net after a mix-up at the back for the Portuguese side.
However, Mikel Arteta, his Arsenal players and supporters alike let rip after Leandro Trossard’s lookalike referee Clement Turpin ruled it out.
He blew his whistle for a foul by Kai Havertz, who tugged at veteran centre-back Pepe’s shirt before he clattered into goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the build-up – allowing the ball to fall kindly for Odegaard to slot home.
Odegaard raced away in celebration before realising it had been chalked off as players surrounded the ref.
Arteta was booked for his angry protests on the touchline – but VAR decided not to intervene after watching the replays because of the slight offence by Havertz.
Fans watching the action at home, though, were less convinced.
One said: “Wow Arsenal have been robbed!!! Absolutely no reason to rule that goal out!! Beyond ridiculous decision!”
Another fumed: “That’s not a foul! You’re allowed to run at the ball.”
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A third added: “This referee is so useless. How is that not a goal?”
A fourth moaned: “Perfectly fine goal by Arsenal but as usual, dive by Pepe.”
However, a final user responded: “Looked about right, if it was the other way around Arteta would be having a meltdown too.”
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Trossard had given Arsenal the lead on the night to level the tie.
He got on the end of a superb Odegaard pass before tucking into the corner in style.
However, with no more goals, the tie went to extra-time at the Emirates – and then all the way to penalties.
And David Raya was the hero in the shootout as he saved two Porto spot-kicks to end Arsenal’s last-16 hoodoo.