The clash between Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday delivered excitement, drama, and a significant refereeing controversy. With the game poised at 2-2 and entering the final minutes, Arsenal appeared to have scored a late winner through Gabriel Jesus, only for referee Anthony Taylor to rule it out due to a foul in the build-up. The decision left Arsenal fans fuming, and it sparked debate among pundits and supporters alike.
Here’s a breakdown of why Anthony Taylor made the call to disallow Arsenal’s last-minute goal, and how the decision unfolded as a result of what many, including former referee Mike Dean, described as a “soft” foul.
A Thrilling Encounter Marred by Controversy
The match between Arsenal and Liverpool was always going to be a high-stakes affair, given both teams’ ambitions in the title race. Arsenal took an early lead through Bukayo Saka, but Liverpool hit back soon after when Virgil van Dijk scored from a corner. Arsenal regained the lead just before half-time with a well-placed header from Mikel Merino. However, in the second half, the Gunners opted to sit back and protect their lead, a decision that ultimately cost them when Mohamed Salah equalized for Liverpool with a brilliant counter-attack in the 81st minute.
Then came the moment of controversy. In the 90th minute, Arsenal thought they had snatched all three points when Gabriel Jesus tapped the ball into an empty net after Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher failed to clear a lobbed attempt by Kai Havertz. However, the goal was immediately ruled out as Taylor had already blown his whistle, citing a foul committed by Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior earlier in the build-up.
The Key Incident: Kiwior’s Foul on Szoboszlai
The chain of events that led to the disallowed goal began when Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones failed to clear the ball, allowing Jakub Kiwior to challenge Dominik Szoboszlai. Kiwior went over the top of Szoboszlai, and Anthony Taylor, after pausing to assess the situation, blew the whistle for a foul, stopping the play before Kai Havertz even touched the ball. Havertz, unaware of the whistle, carried on, eventually delivering a lob that resulted in Gabriel Jesus tapping in what would have been the winning goal.
However, since the whistle had been blown before the ball crossed the line, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) could not intervene. VAR can only review decisions if the ball remains in play, and because Taylor had already halted the game, the decision to disallow the goal stood.
Was It a ‘Soft’ Foul?
The decision to call a foul on Kiwior was a contentious one. Many felt the contact between Kiwior and Szoboszlai was minimal, leading to questions about whether it warranted stopping the play. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean weighed in on the incident during post-match coverage on Sky Sports, calling it a “soft foul” and suggesting it was a “50/50 call.”
“It’s more of a soft foul if anything,” Dean said. “To be fair, he’s just penalized the Arsenal player. It’s probably a 50/50 call, for me.”
Dean’s verdict echoed the frustrations of Arsenal fans, many of whom felt that the referee had blown the whistle too quickly, denying their team a potential winner. Some supporters took to social media to voice their grievances, suggesting that Taylor’s quick whistle prevented VAR from reviewing the incident, ultimately costing them the game.
One Arsenal fan tweeted, “The referee was so fast to blow the whistle so VAR couldn’t review it too,” while another lamented, “Officials desperate not to see Arsenal win as usual.”
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Liverpool Fans Defend the Decision
While Arsenal supporters were quick to criticize the decision, Liverpool fans had a different perspective. Many felt that Taylor’s call was correct and justified, pointing to the fact that the whistle had already been blown well before Gabriel Jesus scored. As one Liverpool fan put it, “There wasn’t any chaos, whistle blown, play called back.” Another echoed this sentiment, writing, “It’s not chaos! It’s the correct decision!”
From Liverpool’s point of view, the disallowed goal was simply a matter of following the rules. Once the whistle was blown, the play was dead, and the decision to halt the game before the goal was scored made it impossible for VAR to overturn.
A Setback in Arsenal’s Title Race
The disallowed goal had significant implications for Arsenal’s title hopes. Heading into the match, Arsenal were seen as one of the frontrunners in the Premier League title race, but the draw with Liverpool means they are now five points behind champions Manchester City and four points off Liverpool.
Man City move up to top spot after another dramatic Premier League matchweek ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/MYbmWTiZd0
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 28, 2024
Just a week earlier, Arsenal were viewed as favorites to win the Premier League title, but a series of setbacks—including injuries to key players like Gabriel and controversial refereeing decisions—have caused them to drop valuable points. This result, combined with previous red cards for Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, and William Saliba in games that also saw Arsenal lose points, has left the Gunners’ fanbase feeling aggrieved and wondering if their title challenge is slipping away.
Taylor’s Verdict and What It Means Moving Forward
While Anthony Taylor’s decision may not have sat well with Arsenal fans, it was within the rules, as the foul had occurred before the goal. Referees are tasked with making split-second judgments, and in this case, Taylor decided to penalize Kiwior for his challenge on Szoboszlai. Whether it was a “soft” foul or not, the whistle had already been blown, and the play was dead.
For Arsenal, the focus must now shift to regaining momentum in the title race. Mikel Arteta’s side still has the quality to challenge for the Premier League crown, but they must avoid further slip-ups if they want to close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool. Injuries to key players like Gabriel will make the task more difficult, but Arteta will need to rally his squad and ensure that they respond to this setback with a strong run of form.
A Controversial Call in a Crucial Clash
The disallowed goal at the Mexico City Grand Prix will be remembered as one of the key moments in the 2024 Premier League season. While Arsenal fans will feel hard done by Anthony Taylor’s decision to blow the whistle early, Liverpool supporters believe the call was fair. Regardless of which side of the debate you stand on, one thing is clear: the Premier League title race is far from over, and this moment could play a pivotal role in determining the eventual champion.
For now, Arsenal must regroup and continue their pursuit of the title, while Liverpool will look to build on their strong performance and capitalize on the momentum gained from this crucial result.
