Gary Lineker and Danny Murphy give verdict on Joao Pedro’s controversial penalty against Arsenal after Brighton star’s head clash with William Saliba
- The decision to reward Joao Pedro against Arsenal was very divisive
- He and William Saliba had collided and the Brighton star went to ground
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism is gone at Old Trafford
Gary Lineker and Danny Murphy delivered a unanimous verdict on Saturday over the controversial decision to award Joao Pedro a penalty against Arsenal.
The Brighton star converted his penalty to cancel out teenage star Ethan Nwaneri’s opener and ensure the win was shared at the Amex Stadium.
Pedro was running through Arsenal’s penalty area trying to get his head to the ball when he was knocked down by Gunners centre-back William Saliba.
Saliba appeared to make his first real attempt to play the ball, but then clattered into the side of Pedro’s head as the Brighton star immediately hit the ground writhing in pain.
Referee Anthony Taylor took his time before ruling the incident a foul and pointed to the spot, with VAR later confirming his decision on the pitch, but it caused a hugely divided reaction.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta branded it ‘very disappointing’ and claimed he had ‘never seen a decision like this’ in his career.
William Saliba (left) was deemed to have fouled Joao Pedro (right) when he accidentally headbutted the Brighton star
Pedro was left writhing in pain on the ground after being knocked down by Saliba’s headbutt
He scored from the spot to save a 1–1 draw for Brighton that undermined Arsenal’s title hopes
And on Saturday night’s Match of the Day show, Lineker and Murphy agreed.
‘I don’t want to see any penalties for players who accidentally come together and go for the ball. Most people don’t,” Murphy said.
“I agree,” Lineker said. ‘I’ve watched football for far too long and never seen a penalty for a clash of the heads. It’s happening in every corner!’
Saliba escaped a red card for his headbutt but was later infuriated when Pedro scored from the spot that ultimately sealed a draw for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
The result leaves Arsenal five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after playing two games more than the Reds, who host Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Arteta said: ‘It is a decision that is very disappointing.
‘I have never seen such a decision in my career. I asked the guys if they had done that, but no one has seen it before. If you look at the incident, the distance, the player, Joao touching the ball and then Saliba touching the ball, you can see the contact there.
‘I checked (with the officials). After three seconds they said they had already checked. It seems fast.’
Saliba missed his header attempt on the ball and made contact with the side of Pedro’s head
Opinion was furiously divided online between both fanbases in the immediate aftermath, with Brighton fans largely arguing that Saliba should have been sent off, while Arsenal supporters were furious that they had been duped.
A Brighton supporter expressed his anger at X, saying: ‘I’ve just arrived at the penalty incident. That is a clear punishment, why is there outrage?
‘Actually, William Saliba is lucky that he doesn’t get a red card. Arsenal fans should remember that Nicolas Pepe was red carded for a much minor headbutt. Joao Pedro could have suffered serious head injuries.”
Another Seagulls fan added: ‘Why wasn’t that a red card for William Saliba? Arsenal are very lucky to have eleven players on the pitch! It was a calm and cool penalty from Joao Pedro!’.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s anger was fueled by fans when an aggrieved supporter claimed Mikel Arteta’s side had been robbed of victory, commenting on X: ‘Another crucial match decided by incompetent referees.
‘Saliba heads the ball very clearly before making contact with Pedro, but a penalty is still awarded.
“They do their utmost to find an opportunity to rob us every week.
Another Arsenal fan expressed the same anger, saying: ‘Never a penalty. You won’t see that decision at all for the rest of the season.”
Mikel Arteta described Joao Pedro’s equalizer as a decision he has ‘never’ seen
The decision was later explained by the PGMOL, which explained: ‘The referee’s penalty for a foul by Saliba was checked and confirmed by the VAR, who ruled that there was sufficient contact for a penalty.’
Jamie Redknapp backed the call, telling Sky Sports in his post-match analysis: ‘It’s chaotic and it’s not something we associate with them (Saliba and Gabriel). Is it a fine? Absolute.’
