Ex-Premier League referee issues ‘brilliant’ claim as controversial Bukayo Saka footage emerges from Arsenal
Keith Hackett has heaped praise on the “brilliant” decision to award Arsenal a penalty in their 3-1 win over Man United on Saturday (23 April).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed the decision to disallow Eddie Nketiah’s goal for offside but award a spot-kick instead was “how VAR should be used”.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, Nketiah put the ball in the back of the net after receiving a pass from Bukayo Saka in an offside position.
VAR operator Jarred Gillett overturned the goal for offside but judged Alex Telles to have fouled Saka in the build up.
The 20-year-old finished from the spot to put his side 2-1 up before Granit Xhaka wrapped up the three points for the Gunners.
“There was no doubt that when they moved into the penalty area on the offside goal that there was a foul,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Pawson ignored it, he didn’t give anything. He had the best VAR guy that we’ve got.
“When he came in and ruled the goal offside I think that was the correct call. I then think we had VAR working brilliantly to say ‘Actually, there’s a penalty kick here’ and it was given.
“That was excellent from Jarred Gillett. We saw how VAR should be used.”
Victory at the Emirates has put Arsenal in fourth, level on points with fifth-place Tottenham.
The two sides face each other next month (12 May) with both clubs playing twice before then.
In other news, there has been a major update on William Saliba’s future at Arsenal after a new twist.