Arsenal have received a fresh verdict on a potential Dominik Szoboszlai handball during their Premier League defeat to Liverpool. The Hungary international was involved in the other huge talking point of the game as it was his sensational free-kick that decided the outcome.
It was certainly a cagey affair at Anfield with it clear neither side wanted to lose and if a winner was to come, it would be through a moment of magic. That arrived in the 83rd minute when Szoboszlai's fierce effort from about 30 yards out flew past Gunners goalkeeper David Raya.
Giving his thoughts on the clash during a press conference, Arteta said: "I think we elevated the game and the dominance to a point that they have to raise it, they did, especially from the 60-78, when then you could see that there were no margins in the game and then when that happens the game is going to be decided in two ways.
"One, with an individual error and two, with a magic moment. So we created a moment that was incredible, that has won the game and that was the difference, nothing else."
Earlier in the clash, Arsenal thought they should have had a penalty when a long throw-in appeared to strike the top of Szoboszlai's arm. Gary Neville on co-commentary and former Premier League referee Mike Dean both offered their immediate thoughts after the incident.
"I mean, I wouldn't want it [awarded] against me, particularly when you've got loads of bodies in front of you and you can't really see it. It does hit his upper arm," Neville said.
Dean added: "It's in that area where it's like is it red zone or is it blue zone? To be fair, the ball has travelled a long way. His arm has never gone toward the ball. The ball has just hit him and, for me, it is the correct decision on field."
Neville replied: "I think if he had a clear sight of it and he jumps and it hits his arm it's a penalty, but the fact there's four or five bodies in front of him and it comes over the top of them – you can't see it."
The dust has since settled on the tense clash alongside that specific moment and with that, a very clear verdict has been provided by another former official in Dermot Gallagher.
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"Everybody would've been aghast if a penalty was given for that," he admitted when speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch.
"A, it's at the top of his arm. B, it's come over the top of his head. His arms are in position you'd expect them to be at that point."
Jay Bothroyd was even more adamant that a penalty should not have been given. He added: "That's a ridiculous decision if he gives that! If he'd have given that, there would have been uproar."
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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
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