Why Gabriel Martinelli’s Arsenal goal was cleared by VAR despite Man Utd comparisons
Gabriel Martinelli put Arsenal ahead during their 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday – despite some question marks over offside.
The Gunners went behind at the Emirates but quickly hit back through Kai Havertz. Martinelli then got on the end of Bukayo Saka’s cross to put the hosts into the lead despite Mikel Merino also appearing close to the ball whilst being in an offside position.
The summer signing has just begun making an impact following an injury spell and also went to get on the end of Saka’s cross, before leaving the ball for Martinelli to tuck home.
Had a Southampton player been marking Merino and challenging with him for the header, then he would have been given offside. Similarly if a defender had been marking Martinelli then a possible case for offside against Merino would’ve been put – given he’d have had to chose who to mark – but neither occurred.
The offside law and the interpretation of players being active or involved in the play has long been a contentious subject. Last season, Manchester United had a goal chalked off at Fulham in similar circumstances to Martinelli.
Scott McTominay saw his effort disallowed at Fulham after Harry Maguire, who was in an offside position, tried to play the ball from Christian Eriksen as it went through to Alejandro Garnacho, who created the goal. Maguire was deemed to have interfered with the play.
Martinelli’s strike wouldn’t prove defining as Arsenal added a third late in the game through Saka himself. The result means that the north Londoners are still unbeaten, level with Manchester City and point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal themselves have struggled with several refereeing decisions this term – although they have been given by the official on the pitch and not VAR. Twice they have seen a player sent-off for delaying the restart with Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard both dismissed.
Mikel Arteta said following the win: “First half I thought it was exceptional. The amount of dominance that we had in the areas that we played, the amount of situations and chances we created in open play and set pieces, our counter-press worked really well there. It’s unbelievable that we didn’t score a goal.”
