Arsenal fans were left scratching their heads as controversy struck once again, with many feeling that they had been unfairly denied a penalty in the first half of their intense clash against Liverpool. The Emirates crowd was buzzing with energy, but by the end of the half, that excitement had shifted to frustration and confusion.
The match had begun on a high note for Arsenal, as Bukayo Saka wasted no time in making an impact. In just the ninth minute, he skillfully broke away from Liverpool’s left-back, Andrew Robertson, cutting inside before unleashing a shot that rocketed into the top corner of Caoimhín Kelleher’s net. The early goal sent Arsenal fans into euphoria, as they watched their team take an early 1-0 lead, asserting control against a challenging Liverpool side.
However, the elation was short-lived. Barely nine minutes after Saka’s opener, Liverpool retaliated with an equalizer that silenced the Emirates. Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a well-placed corner, which Luis Diaz expertly flicked on. The ball found its way to Virgil van Dijk, who effortlessly nodded it past Arsenal’s defense, leveling the score. The swift equalizer was a wake-up call for Arsenal, as Liverpool proved they were not to be underestimated.
As the first half progressed, the Gunners managed to create another moment of optimism just before halftime. Declan Rice delivered a stunning free-kick into the Liverpool penalty area in the 43rd minute, and Mikel Merino was right on cue to connect with it, renewing the crowd’s hope. The fans’ spirits lifted as they anticipated going into the break with an advantage, confident in their team’s performance.
But amid the action, a crucial moment in the 30th minute left Arsenal supporters fuming. Gabriel Martinelli made a powerful run into Liverpool’s penalty area, skillfully navigating past defenders, only to be met with a challenge from Alexander-Arnold and what looked like a follow-through foul from Ibrahima Konaté. The Emirates erupted with appeals, but referee Anthony Taylor dismissed the calls for a penalty, and VAR did not intervene. Arsenal fans took to social media to voice their outrage, certain that their team had been wronged.
One fan voiced what many were thinking, stating, “19 out of 20 teams get a penalty except Arsenal.” Another echoed the sentiment with a bitter sense of resignation: “The game is gone.” The frustration was palpable, with a third fan adding, “I’ve genuinely never seen a more obvious penalty; Konaté goes right through Martinelli without touching the ball, with Trent there too. What on earth?” Others pointed to a perceived bias, with one fan remarking, “That’s a penalty for Arsenal, but they won’t give it because it’s against Liverpool and not Manchester United. Unlucky Arsenal.”
As the debate over the penalty raged on, the mood took another hit when center-back Gabriel was forced off the field due to a suspected injury. The Emirates grew tense as Jakub Kiwior stepped in to fill the defensive void, partnering with Ben White, who was already covering for the suspended William Saliba. The full extent of Gabriel’s injury remained unknown, leaving fans worried about the potential impact on the team’s defensive stability in upcoming matches. Manager Mikel Arteta would later have to address both the injury and the mounting frustrations over officiating.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Premier League’s Match Centre X account issued a statement to explain the decision. “The referee’s decision of no penalty for the challenge by Konaté on Martinelli was checked and confirmed by VAR, which deemed that Konaté won the ball.” However, this only seemed to heighten Arsenal fans’ discontent, as many felt that once again, a crucial decision had gone against them in a high-stakes match.
As Arsenal headed into the second half, their supporters remained hopeful yet apprehensive, feeling as if an opportunity had slipped through their fingers due to what they perceived as an unjust call. For Arsenal fans, the lingering sense of injustice cast a shadow over an otherwise spirited performance.