Why Arsenal Were Denied Two Penalties in Draw Against Manchester United
Gunners left frustrated as VAR rejects two strong penalty appeals in crucial Old Trafford clash
Arsenal fans were left frustrated after their team was denied two potential penalties during their 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Gunners managed to earn a point thanks to Declan Rice’s goal, but many believe they could have had a chance to win if key decisions had gone their way.
First Penalty Claim: Handball by Ayden Heaven
During the second half, Arsenal appealed for a handball penalty when United defender Ayden Heaven appeared to touch the ball with his arm inside the box. The incident was reviewed by VAR, and the Sky Sports commentators, Peter Drury and Gary Neville, provided their take.
Drury: “VAR has completed a check on that handball enquiry. Head onto arm is the verdict.”
Neville: “It just goes past his hand and he heads it back onto his arm.”
Since the ball first hit Heaven’s head before touching his arm, VAR decided it was not deliberate and chose not to award a penalty to Arsenal.
Second Penalty Claim: Gabriel’s Shirt Pull by Dalot
A few moments later, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães also felt he should have had a penalty when Diogo Dalot appeared to pull his shirt inside the box. However, the referee and VAR did not give a foul, claiming Gabriel went down too easily.
Neville’s reaction: “He is not happy, Gabriel. He is complaining about being grabbed.”
Neville on VAR’s verdict: “What VAR have said is that Gabriel throws himself to the floor. Dalot has his arms on him, but the defender just dives forward.”
Despite Gabriel’s complaints, the officials believed the contact was not enough to justify a penalty.
These two decisions meant Arsenal had to settle for just one point instead of a possible three. With the title race heating up, the Gunners now sit 15 points behind league leaders Liverpool, making their Premier League title challenge even more difficult.
Liverpool only need five more wins and a draw from their last nine matches to secure the title, leaving Arsenal and other challengers running out of time to close the gap.
Do you think Arsenal were robbed of two penalties? Let us know in the comments!
