Arsenal defender: 'That should have been a penalty for Liverpool'

Arsenal defender William Saliba admitted Liverpool deserved a penalty after Martin Odergaard's handball in the 1-1 draw in the 18th round of the Premier League on December 23.

In the 18th minute, with Arsenal leading 1-0, Mohamed Salah pushed the ball away from Trent Alexander-Arnold's free kick. Odegaard rushed out to intercept, slipped, and clearly pulled the ball with his hand inside Arsenal's penalty area. Referee Chris Kavanagh did not award a free kick and allowed the game to continue. VAR referee David Coote also agreed with the on-field decision and did not intervene.

When asked if he thought it was a penalty for Liverpool, Saliba laughed and replied: "Of course, it was a penalty. But I'm not the referee. We have to accept the decision."

Odegaard (number 8, yellow) handled the ball in the penalty area in the first half of the match against Liverpool at Anfield on December 23. Screenshot .

Sharing Saliba's view are former defenders Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville. On social media platform X, former Liverpool legend Carragher wrote: "It was a penalty and the man of the match knew it. Two clear penalties in two nights and VAR ignored them both."

According to the English Professional Football League (PGMOL), Liverpool were not awarded a penalty because Odegaard's arm was moving toward his body, not toward the ball, when he slipped and fell. PGMOL argued that Odegaard raising his arm to maintain balance and the arm moving toward his body should not be considered a handball.

Carragher rated Saliba as the best player of the match, with the Arsenal defender being the most reliable anchor in the visitors' defense at Anfield. The French center-back made six ball recoveries, two tackles, and three successful aerial duels, and was also named Man of the Match by the organizers.

Saliba (left) challenges Nunez during the 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool in the 18th round of the Premier League.

In the match between the two top teams at Anfield, Arsenal took an early lead thanks to a goal from center-back Gabriel Magalhaes. Liverpool equalized in the first half through a moment of brilliance from Mohamed Salah. The two teams continued to exchange attacks in the second half, but no further goals were scored, and they settled for a draw.

The result was seen as positive for Arsenal, even though they failed to win at Liverpool's ground for the 11th consecutive year. Arteta's team maintained their position at the top of the Premier League table with 40 points. Liverpool and Aston Villa are close behind with 39 points.

Vy Anh

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