VAR was involved in a controversial incident during Arsenal's Premier League draw with Sunderland
Alan Shearer and Theo Walcott on Match of the Day
Alan Shearer and Theo Walcott were in disagreement over an incident in Sunderland's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
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Pundits Alan Shearer and Theo Walcott have found themselves at odds over an incident that could have influenced Sunderland's Premier League match against Arsenal.
The Black Cats fought back to score an injury time equaliser and earn a 2-2 draw against the Premier League leaders at the Stadium of Light.
But there was an incident early on that left Arsenal calling for a penalty. Mikel Merino was caught by Dan Ballard's arm in the penalty box. The referee waved away calls for a penalty and despite Merino requiring treatment, the incident was reviewed by VAR but the decision remained unchanged.
This has sparked a debate in the Match of the Day studio. Ex-Arsenal player Walcott is of the opinion that a penalty should have been awarded.
"I look at it a little bit differently to be honest. It's not clear and obvious, however, it's early in the game, it's seven minutes into the game and Dan Ballard, of course, wants to put his mark on the game," he said on the show
"Mikel Arteta spoke about being disruptive, and he's definitely, in my opinion, he's disruptive and there's a slight movement from the elbow to Merino's cheekbone.
"Me and Al definitely don't agree with it, however, I do feel like his elbow was in quite a high condition, shall we call it, and it was very disruptive."
As pointed out by Walcott, former Newcastle striker Shearer strongly disagreed with his colleague, describing the incident as 'brilliant defending'.
"I think as a defender, if he allows that forward to get across him, his manager goes absolutely berserk at him," he said. "That's his space and he cannot allow any forward to get across him.
"So he then settles himself and then he goes for the header. You can't jump without doing that (raising his arms) for a header, and I don't think there's anything deliberate there at all, I think it's more brilliant defending than anything else."
Dan Ballard celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at Stadium of Light.
Dan Ballard has been praised for his performance in the match between Sunderland and Arsenal.
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Ballard subsequently made his mark on the match in more significant ways. The centre-back opened the scoring in the first half, before second-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard appeared to have secured victory for Arsenal.
However, Brian Brobbey struck the dramatic equaliser for Sunderland in the 94th minute. A late Ballard block secured the point for Regis Les Bris' team.
The result means that Sunderland are in fourth position in the Premier League ahead of Sunday's fixtures, having picked up 19 points from their opening 11 games.