Arsenal fans were left puzzled after they felt a penalty should have been awarded in the first half against Liverpool.
The match began positively for Arsenal, with Bukayo Saka scoring in the ninth minute after outmaneuvering Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson and finding the top corner of Caoimhín Kelleher’s net.
However, Liverpool quickly equalized just nine minutes later, as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner was flicked on by Luis Diaz, allowing Virgil van Dijk to head it in.
As the first half neared its end, Declan Rice delivered a precise free-kick into the box, which Mikel Merino capitalized on, giving Arsenal fans hope as they approached halftime.
Despite a strong performance, Arsenal supporters expressed their belief that a penalty should have been given. Around the half-hour mark, Gabriel Martinelli was challenged in the box by Alexander-Arnold, followed by what seemed to be a foul by Ibrahima Konaté, but referee Anthony Taylor waved off their appeals.
Fans reacted strongly, with one stating, “19 out of 20 teams get a penalty except Arsenal,” and another lamenting, “The game is gone.” A third fan remarked, “I’ve genuinely never seen a more obvious penalty; Konaté goes right through Martinelli without touching the ball.” Another added, “Blatant penalty, but it’s Arsenal, so play on.”
Even Manchester United fans commented, especially after their team conceded a late penalty in their 2-1 defeat to West Ham, with one saying, “That’s a penalty for Arsenal, but they won’t give it because it’s against Liverpool and not Manchester United. Unlucky Arsenal.”
The atmosphere at the Emirates shifted from excitement to concern when center-back Gabriel had to be substituted due to a possible injury. Jakub Kiwior came on as a makeshift central defender alongside Ben White, who was already filling in for the suspended William Saliba.
The severity of Gabriel’s injury remains unclear, and Mikel Arteta is expected to provide an update after the match.
In response to the penalty claims, the Premier League issued a statement via their Match Centre X account, confirming that VAR reviewed the referee’s decision and upheld it, stating that Konaté had won the ball.
