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Chelsea had a penalty scare during the first half of their Premier League clash with Arsenal.
The Premier League’s refereeing panel PGMOL has explained why Arsenal did not get a penalty during the first half of their clash with Chelsea. The Gunners went into the break with a lead thanks to Mikel Merino’s front post header that looped over Robert Sanchez and in at the unguarded back post.
It was a well-contested first half that Arsenal dominated for the most part, with Chelsea taking a more negative and guarded approach. Arsenal were good value for their lead at the break, but some felt they should have been given an opportunity to score earlier in the game.
Chelsea star Marc Cucurella had a scare when the ball hit his arm, leading to calls for handball. The incident was reviewed by VAR and it was decided that the on-field referee made the right call, which was no penalty.
After the incident, which occurred around 12 minutes into the game, PGMOL, who oversee refereeing in the Premier League, posted the following explanation on social media: “The referee’s call of no penalty for handball by Cucurella was checked and confirmed by VAR – with his arm deemed to be in an expected position with no clear or deliberate action towards the ball.”
Cucurella is never too far from the spotlight in games, but he was innocent on this occasion, not intending to play the ball with his extremity. The Spaniard later caused Arsenal goalkeeper and Spain teammate David Raya a major scare when he volleyed one right at the Arsenal keeper. Raya tried to gather it only for the ball to squirm through his legs and narrowly wide of the far post. Raya immediately took to his feet and said ‘Wow’ or likely the Spanish equivalent ‘guau’, knowing he had got away with one.
Arsenal will be hoping to see out the win as they look to establish momentum heading into the final part of the season and the back-end of the Champions League, while Chelsea will feel they need to take home a point or three as they look to keep up their end of the bargain in the top four race.
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