Exclusive: Arsenal fall foul of officials as controversy intensifies
Arsenal and Ipswich offside calls in the FA Cup third round unearthed the “dilemma” around consistency with certain decisions, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Kieran McKenna’s side should have seen the third goal in their 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers ruled out on Sunday (12 January).
Gabriel Martinelli had a similar strike ruled out for the Gunners prior to their eventual penalty shootout defeat to Man United on the same day.
Hackett has now suggested that the situation may add to the frustration Arsenal feel around their defeat, while serving as a reminder of the subjectivity involved in certain decisions.
Ipswich score as Arsenal denied in FA Cup third round action
For the Gunners it was a frustrating afternoon at the Emirates, as they were beaten on penalties despite playing an hour against ten men with Diogo Dalot having been sent off with 60 minutes on the clock.
They also missed what was a controversially awarded penalty in normal time, with Altay Bayindir saving from Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
Prior to all that though, Gabriel Martinelli had seen a goal ruled out for offside for the Gunners when the score had still been 0-0.
The winger argued that since the ball had come to him off Harry Maguire it should not have been ruled out, but an offside was given with the Man United deemed not to have been attempting to play the ball.
Ipswich enjoyed a more comfortable day than Arsenal in the cup as they cruised past League One side Bristol Rovers, winning 3-0 at Portman Road.
Their third goal came after Jack Taylor fired in from an offside position, after a pass to him had deflected off an opposing defender and into his path.
Hackett believes the similarities between the two goals with different outcomes, highlights an issue that officiating must resolve.
When asked by Football Insider if the Ipswich goal being allowed to stand would likely generate frustration at Arsenal over Martinelli’s disallowed effort, the former referee said:
“I think what it demonstrates is the interpretation of the law by the referee and the assistant referee at that particular game.
“Here I think he has decided – and this is subjective – that the defender has actively made an active play for the ball so therefore he’s allowed the goal (for Ipswich).
“So if you like this is the dilemma on the offside decision when you’re hunting for consistency. You’ve got two decisions there that are very similar, I go with the one that has been ruled out (for Arsenal) I think that was the correct call yesterday, I think that’s the expectation in football.
“I think this was one (in Ipswich’s favour) is a tighter call but they’ve decided he’s active, he’s become active because of defending play. That’s if you like the gap in the offside law, this interpretation that you can put on it.”
Arsenal will now turn their focus back to the Premier League title race, where they are six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
Ipswich meanwhile are battling to stay in the top-flight, and now also have a trip to Championship side Coventry City in the fourth round of the FA Cup to think about.
In other news, Declan Rice has issued a “really difficult” update after Arsenal’s defeat to Man United.
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