The debate continues after referee Anthony Taylor’s on-field decision was reversed, leading to candid reactions from both Bukayo Saka and former Gunners striker Alan Smith.
Arsenal clinched a vital 1-0 victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage, but the match was overshadowed by two contentious penalty incidents that drew post-match debate among players and pundits.
The first appeal came when Viktor Gyokeres went down in the box under close marking. On-field referee Anthony Taylor dismissed the claims, a decision supported by former Arsenal forward Alan Smith.
Smith offered a fresh verdict, stating, “He’s tried to stay on his feet initially, I think… Protected the ball well. I don’t think there’s enough there.”
Later, controversy erupted when Taylor pointed to the spot for a foul on Bukayo Saka. The decision was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and subsequently overturned, with the referee’s explanation heard inside the stadium:
“After review, number 22 makes a challenge and plays the ball therefore no foul is committed. No penalty, restart with a drop ball from the goalkeeper.”
Saka later expressed his disappointment with the reversal despite the final score. “For me, it’s a penalty,” he insisted. “Of course, I understand he touched the ball, but I felt a big contact on my right knee before he touched the ball, and for me, any contact like that in the box is a penalty.”
The decisions highlight the ongoing tension over contact in the penalty area, even as the Gunners secured three crucial points via Leandro Trossard’s winning goal.