The Premier League Match Centre has provided an explanation for the disallowed goal by Bukayo Saka against Fulham.
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The 23-year-old winger believed he had scored a late winner for Arsenal at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, but he was ruled offside. ..Continue Reading
Gabriel Martinelli’s cross found Saka unmarked at the back post, and he headed the ball past Bernd Leno. However, the Video Assistant Referee, John Brooks, and his assistant, Derek Eaton, swiftly reviewed the footage at Stockley Park and intervened.
An official statement from the Premier League reads: “Saka’s goal was initially awarded on-field. VAR checked and determined that Martinelli was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”
VAR was utilized earlier in the match when William Saliba scored Arsenal’s equalizer. Just after the halftime break, the Gunners executed another flawless set-piece, with the 23-year-old defender slotting the ball into the net from close range.
An official statement from the Premier League Match Centre read: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Saliba was in an onside position.”
The Gunners were held to a draw, missing out on the chance to go within four-points of Liverpool at the top of the table. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Fulham game, Arteta forecasted a tough clash against.
“A big challenge,” said the Spaniard on Friday. “Last year we lost five points against them. I’ve always been very complimentary about them, about their coach and what they do.
“It’s always a really tough place to go,” Arteta added. “They’re doing very well. I’m very happy for them. Reiss is still one of our own but the rest as well. It will be great to see them.”
On being called, ‘corner kings’, the Arsenal manager said: “We want to be the kings of everything. Set-pieces, the best in the world. High press, the best in the world. In open spaces, the best in the world.
“The best atmosphere in the stadium and the best at everything. Before it was we didn’t score enough, we were soft at defending, we didn’t have mentality, we were not physical enough, we didn’t beat big teams away from home for 17 years, 20 years, 22 years.
“We want to be the best at everything. We want to have the best academy, be the best at player development, recruit the best players, best coaches. That’s the aim.”
