Pundit lambasts ‘dangerous’ Gabriel Magalhaes as new Arsenal controversy analysed
Noel Whelan has insisted Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty after Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes stopped a “dangerous” attack with his arm.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the laws around handball and the Video Assistant Referee system need clearing up after another spate of incidents in the last week.
As seen in footage from the Football Daily Twitter account (10 October), Gabriel used an outstretched arm to stop a cross from Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota from close proximity.
Referee Michael Oliver was unmoved by the incident and VAR official Darren England chose not to refer him to the pitchside monitor to review the incident.
Arsenal went on to win Sunday’s (9 October) game 3-2 thanks to a penalty from Bukayo Saka and return to the top of the Premier League.
Meanwhile in the top flight, Marcus Rashford saw a goal chalked out for handball despite two similar strikes being allowed to stand in West Ham’s clash with Fulham.
Whelan insisted the incident at the Emirates Stadium is another example of “inconsistent” decision-making among referees in England.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “We’re seeing this inconsistency in referees again.
“Is it the letter of the law or is it the referee’s choice? He’s used his arm to stop an opposition chance.
“By the letter of the law, it should be a penalty. Yes, it was a handball.
“It wasn’t deliberate, but it was a penalty in my opinion. His arm was in an unnatural position and stopped Liverpool from putting the ball in a dangerous area.
“They need to clear up these laws.”
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