Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Wed 4 March 2026 21:30, UK

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Brighton and Hove Albion felt that they should have had a penalty during their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday.

The Seagull were narrowly defeated by the Premier League leaders, with Bukayo Saka netting the only goal of the game in what could be a vital three points for the Gunners.

However, Arsenal’s victory was not without its controversy, with Gabriel Martinelli having a hairy moment after a tackle on Mats Wieffer inside the visitors’ box.

Multiple contentious moments have plagued Arsenal’s season, and this appears to be one that has come to their benefit as they hunt for the Premier League title.

BIG. BIG. WIN. pic.twitter.com/Sg53bijiFZ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 4, 2026

Premier League insist that Brighton vs Arsenal penalty claim was not clear and obvious

Deep into stoppage time in the first half, the hosts felt that they should have had a penalty when Wieffer was brought down inside Arsenal’s 18-yard box.

Martinelli pulled down Wieffer inside the box. However, the referee did not give a spot-kick.

While VAR did review the decision, the Premier League has now confirmed via X on 4 March that the incident was not a clear and obvious error from the officials.

#BHAARS – 45+3’

The referee’s call of no penalty to Brighton & Hove Albion for the challenge by Martinelli on Wieffer was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed there was no clear and obvious error.

— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) March 4, 2026

As a result, no action was taken, much to the dismay of the hosts, as they proved to be incapable of breaking down the visitors for the rest of the game.

What are the odds of Arsenal winning the Premier League?

Former Premier League chief executive Keith Wyness has previously told Football Insider that Arsenal should win the Premier League, despite their recent dip in form, and this was on show yet again on Wednesday.

Man City’s draw against Nottingham Forest now means that they are seven points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side, meaning that they are another step closer to the title.

This is reflected in Opta’s prediction on 4 March, with the supercomputer maintaining its belief that Mikel Arteta will lift the title at the end of the season.

They have given Arsenal a 91.94 per cent chance of lifting the Premier League trophy after they overcome yet another potential banana skin.

However, it remains to be seen if they are able to keep this form up between now and the end of the season, with Man City continuing to breathe down their necks.