Paul Merson blasts ‘absolute shocker’ incident at Arsenal v Real Madrid
Paul Merson was outraged by the officiating of one controversial incident in the stunning Arsenal victory over Real Madrid.
Expectations for the Gunners were low as they prepared to face off against the 15-time champions of Europe without a number of key players, but an incredible second half saw Declan Rice net a pair of free kicks before Mikel Merino added a third in a 3-0 win.
Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a season-ending injury against Fulham on 1 April, whilst Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, marquee summer-signing Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu all missed out due to fitness issues.
However, the return in recent weeks of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been a major boost to Arsenal’s chances, and the Brazilian became a talking point in the opening stages of the game.
Paul Merson slams VAR for delay in Arsenal penalty decision
With just 14 minutes gone, Martinelli broke away down the left-hand side, forcing Real Madrid’s makeshift right-back, Federico Valverde backwards, before turning inside and laying off the ball to Rice.
The England international hit a first-time shot that cannoned off Raul Asencio, before bouncing out for a corner.
There were no real protests from any Arsenal players on the pitch, with the distance between Rice and the centre-back no more than a few yards.
However, VAR deemed a break lasting multiple minutes as necessary, killing much of the momentum of what had been a fast-paced game up to that point.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Special, ex-Arsenal icon Merson was not impressed with the delay in the game, saying (8.14pm): “No it can’t be a penalty, surely not. Martinelli goes down the left in that move, Rice gets to the near post, he hits it and it hits the defender.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Martinelli |
| Appearances | 26 |
| Starts | 18 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Minutes | 1,710 |
“But it literally just hits the defender! It can’t be a penalty! Oh it can’t be a penalty, surely not. No it won’t be a penalty, surely. Asensio, it hits his arm there, he comes to block it and it hits his arm, but we’re two minutes in now [to the review], this is a worry if you’re a Real Madrid fan.
“Oh, no, they’re playing on now. They [the VARs] must have gone to the toilet.”
Host Julian Warren then pointed out it took VAR several minutes to come to a conclusion, whilst Merson was convinced immediately it was not a penalty.
Merson then added: “Oh it was one second. As I said, they must have been to the toilet, they have to wait for him, but yeah a shocker, absolute shocker.
“Just stopping the game, the game’s been so good, end to end, 14 minutes gone, and then they stop it for a minute or two minutes there to have a look at something that’s definitely, 100% not a penalty.”
Arsenal show no fear in attacking Real Madrid
Football Insider Verdict
As revered as Real Madrid may be, Arsenal began their tie against the historic club with no fear, pushing their opponents into their own half.
Martinelli and Saka both looked confident driving forward with the ball, even in spite of their recent injury layoffs, and Martin Odegaard found pockets of space to work in, as he so often does.
Whilst the storyline in North London that has lingered on for most of the season is Arsenal’s lack of a striker, it was Rice who stepped up to open the scoring for his side.
The England international stepped up in the 58th minute and curled in one of the finest free-kicks into the back of Thibaut Courtois’ net one will ever witness to give Arteta’s side the lead.
If that wasn’t impressive enough he smashed another one into the top corner past the big Belgian 12 minutes later, before Merino added the gloss with an excellent third to round off one of the Gunners’ best ever European nights at the Emirates.