Arsenal were denied a penalty in their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday evening
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool celebrates with his teammates after scoring his sides first goal to make it 1 - 0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on August 31, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai scored the winning goal in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Arsenal
(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Arsenal have been given a fresh assessment regarding a potential Dominik Szoboszlai handball during their Premier League loss to Liverpool. The Hungarian midfielder was at the centre of the match's other major talking point, as his stunning free-kick ultimately settled the contest.
It was undoubtedly a tight encounter at Anfield, with both teams clearly reluctant to suffer defeat, meaning any winner would need to come through a magical moment. That materialised in the 83rd minute when Szoboszlai's thunderous strike from approximately 30 yards sailed beyond Gunners keeper David Raya.
Reflecting on the encounter during a press conference, Mikel Arteta commented: "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 match, Arsenal believed they deserved a penalty when a long throw-in seemed to catch the upper part of Szoboszlai's arm.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville on commentary and former Premier League official Mike Dean both shared their instant reactions following 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 controversy from that heated encounter has now died down, with former official Dermot Gallagher offering his definitive assessment of the incident.
"Everybody would've been aghast if a penalty was given for that," he stated during 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 expressed even stronger opposition to awarding a spot-kick, declaring: "That's a ridiculous decision if he gives that! If he'd have given that, there would have been uproar."
For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.
We're also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.
Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.