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

VAR checked Ibrahima Konate's tackle on Gabriel Martinelli in the first half of Arsenal's crucial Premier League meeting with Liverpool - but did not consider the incident to be worthy of a penalty. It came after the Arsenal forward was brought down inside the box - sandwiched between two defenders.

Along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Konate crowded Martinelli as he attempted to keep the ball under control outside the six-yard area. Running through the Liverpool bodies, the Brazilian found himself on the floor shortly after, and their appeals were sounded.

Even though Konate appeared to bring down Martinelli, VAR didn't come to the conclusion that it needed to be overturned into a penalty. At Stockley Park, watching the game, were officials Michael Salisbury and Darren Cann.

Arsenal players were left incensed that they hadn't been given a spot-kick, regardless of the chance.

Martinelli was left to complain to referee Anthony Taylor - while Leandro Trossard and Havertz both made animated gestures in asking for a foul. Premier League Match Centre - an official voice of VAR decisions on X (formerly Twitter) - explained the process online.

"The referee's call of no penalty for the challenge by Konate on Martinelli was checked and confirmed by VAR", it said, "deeming that Konate won the ball." The Frenchman appeared to fly through Martinelli, making contact with the Arsenal player, on his way to getting further contact on the ball.

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Arsenal wouldn't be unhappy at the call for long, however. Mikel Merino fired the Gunners ahead before half-time, heading in Declan Rice's cross from a free-kick. That put Arsenal back in front after Virgil van Dijk had earlier levelled the game following Bukayo Saka's early opener.