Arsenal idol issues ‘100 per cent’ claim as William Saliba controversy analysed
Kevin Campbell has claimed the officials were right to penalise Arsenal defender William Saliba for handball at Leeds United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gunners and Everton striker said the 21-year-old cannot argue with the decision even though it was “unfortunate.”
Jack Harrison’s lobbed pass landed on the arm of Saliba in the second half of the clash at Elland Road.
Referee Chris Kavanagh did not initially award a penalty but on the advice of VAR official Paul Tierney he consulted the pitch-side monitor and changed his decision.
Patrick Bamford stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick but fired wide.
Mikel Arteta’s side went on to win 1-0 on Sunday (16 October).
When asked by Football Insider if the officials were right to penalise Saliba for handball, Campbell said: “100 per cent.
“I do not think anybody could argue with that.
“The way it came over and hit him on the arm is unfortunate but it is a penalty. Leeds got given that one.
“They just could not finish. Let’s be honest, if Leeds could finish on the day Arsenal would have been in trouble.”
Speaking to club media post-match, Arteta said: “We left the game open and from the beginning – from the first whistle in the second half we started not at the rhythm, not making the right decisions time after time.
“We put ourselves in big trouble.”
In other news, a pundit has told Arsenal to give Gabriel Martinelli ‘whatever he wants’ after reveal from source.