The Premier League Match Centre has explained why Bukayo Saka's goal against Fulham was ruled out. The 23-year-old winger thought he had netted a late winner for Arsenal at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, but he was adjudged to have been offside.
Gabriel Martinelli found Saka unmarked at the back post, heading the ball beneath Bernd Leno. The Video Assistant Referee, John Brooks, and his assistant, Derek Eaton, quickly intervened and reviewed the footage at Stockley Park.
An official statement from the Premier League reads: "Saka’s goal was initially awarded on-field. VAR checked and determined that Martinelli was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed."
VAR was called into play earlier in the game when William Saliba equalised for Arsenal. Shortly after half-time, the Gunners pulled off another unstoppable set-piece routine to level proceedings, with the 23-year-old defender knocking the ball in from just a few yards.
An official statement from the Premier League Match Centre read: "The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Saliba was in an onside position."
The Gunners were held to a draw, missing out on the chance to go within four-points of Liverpool at the top of the table. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Fulham clash, Arteta forecasted a difficult clash against.
"A big challenge," said the Spaniard on Friday. "Last year we lost five points against them. I’ve always been very complimentary about them, about their coach and what they do.
"It’s always a really tough place to go," Arteta added. "They’re doing very well. I’m very happy for them. Reiss is still one of our own but the rest as well. It will be great to see them."
Much of Arteta's pre-match press conference was also dominated by talk of his side's set-piece ability.
This is a developing news story that will be updated with relevant information as we get it. More to follow...
Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel
Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
Join our Arsenal WhatsApp channel and get all the latest breaking news, opinion, podcasts and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Arsenal writers straight to your phone!
By following this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens, when it happens.
To join our dedicated Arsenal channel, all you have to do is click this link and you can join thousands of others following our Gunners coverage!
If you're curious, you can check out our privacy policy here.