Premier League release Arsenal vs Liverpool statement after Gabriel Martinelli VAR penalty check

Arsenal news reports that the Premier League has clarified why Gabriel Martinelli did not receive a penalty after his collision with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.

During the first half of Arsenal’s important Premier League match against Liverpool, VAR reviewed Konate’s tackle on Martinelli but did not find it deserving of a penalty.

The incident occurred when Martinelli was taken down in the box, caught between two defenders. Alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, Konate pressured Martinelli as he tried to maintain control of the ball just outside the six-yard area.

As the Brazilian maneuvered through the Liverpool defense, he fell to the ground, prompting appeals from his teammates. Despite Konate appearing to knock Martinelli down, VAR officials at Stockley Park decided not to overturn the referee’s initial no-penalty ruling.

Following the challenge, Kai Havertz attempted a shot that went over the bar after the ball deflected upwards. Arsenal players were frustrated by the decision, even though they had a scoring opportunity.

Martinelli expressed his displeasure to referee Anthony Taylor, while Leandro Trossard and Havertz also gestured animatedly for a foul. The Premier League Match Centre, which communicates VAR decisions on X (formerly Twitter), detailed the situation online.

It stated, “The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by Konate on Martinelli was checked and confirmed by VAR,” indicating that Konate had won the ball.

While there was some contact with Martinelli, it was determined that Konate had ultimately played the ball. However, Arsenal quickly moved on from the call, as Mikel Merino scored before halftime, heading in a cross from Declan Rice following a free-kick, putting Arsenal back in the lead after Virgil van Dijk had previously equalized following Bukayo Saka’s opener.