Arsenal saw off Brighton 1-0 several weeks ago but the Premier League's KMI Panel has deemed that they should've had a penalty awarded against them - with the Gunners previously benefiting from such errors
Arsenal have continued to be on the right side of VAR decisions
Arsenal have continued to be on the right side of VAR decisions(Image: Alexander Hassenstein - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Arsenal should've had a penalty awarded against them when they beat Brighton, according to the Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel, with the Gunners on the right side of a contentious decision for the second time this season.
The north Londoners saw off the Seagulls on March 4 with Bukayo Saka's goal securing them the three points at the Amex. But when the hosts pushed forward in the final minutes of the first-half Mats Wieffer was hauled down in the box by Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brighton star was making a run before he was on the end of a clear pull from the Brazilian - but the referee Chris Kavanagh didn't whistle. The incident was then cleared by the video assistant referee (VAR), Michael Salisbury.
Brighton's players remonstrated with the referee, but had no luck. Fabian Hurzeler complained to the fourth official with the Premier League Match Centre claiming on social media that the VAR "deemed there was no clear and obvious error".
However the KMI has now deemed that Brighton should have been given a spot kick. They voted 4:1 that a spot-kick should have been awarded on the field, and 3:2 that it was a missed VAR intervention. The ruling said: "Martinelli is not looking at the ball, holds Weiffer into the area and prevents the Brighton player from challenging for the ball."
It proved crucial in the end result with Arsenal winning by a solitary goal. The Gunners have had luck on their side several times this year - they also beat Everton 1-0 and dodged a penalty appeal against them - another decision that was deemed to have gone in their favour.
On December 20 the Toffees saw their striker Thierno Barry clash inside the area with William Saliba. Barry got to the ball first and then his boot was kicked by Arsenal's centre-half, but the home side's appeals were waved away by referee Sam Barrott.
The KMI panel have since voted 3-2 that the on-field decision by referee to not award a penalty was incorrect. It also voted 3-2 that video assistant referee (VAR) Michael Salisbury should have sent the match official to the monitor to change his decision. The panel deemed that "Saliba carelessly kicks Barry with no contact on the ball".
Everton's Thierno Barry saw a penalty appeal waved away, but Arsenal should've had a spot kick go against them
Everton's Thierno Barry saw a penalty appeal waved away, but Arsenal should've had a spot kick go against them
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The same panel also unanimously decided that Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty for a Declan Rice handball during their meeting at the start of March. However, the threshold for a missed VAR intervention was not met.
Chelsea would score two minutes later, with the final score seeing the Gunners win 2-1.
Crucially this season Arsenal have had no VAR mistakes against them, which will have influenced their position at the top of the table. They are looking odds-on to claim the title as they hold a nine-point lead over Manchester City.