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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Ex-Premier League referee disagrees with David Luiz after VAR overturned Bukayo Saka penalty

Arsenal's 4-2 win over Leeds United did include one controversial moment.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 's hat-trick and a rare goal from right-back Hector Bellerin sealed all three points for the Gunners and ended their three-game winless run.

With that said, Marcelo Bielsa's side improved thereafter and actually did threaten what would have been a stunning comeback as goals from Pascal Struijk and substitute Helder Costa reduced the deficit with 20 minutes left on the clock.

But Arsenal held on for all three points and could have extended their margin in the second half with Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka both being denied by the woodwork.

In truth, the Gunners may also be feeling a sense of disappointment that the penalty - before Aubameyang's second of the afternoon - they were awarded just past the half-hour mark did not stand.

The incident came when Saka drove into the area at speed and was sent to the ground by Leeds captain Liam Cooper, resulting in referee Stuart Attwell pointing to the spot.

Replays showed that Cooper stepped across Saka, winning none of the ball, and caught him on his knee, forcing him to fall to the ground.

However, VAR was called to intervene and have a look, calling for Attwell to head over to the pitchside monitor.

After closely watching the decision back, Attwell's original call to point to the spot was overturned, handing Leeds a reprieve.

As noticed by several fans, David Luiz - who was sent-off for a similar foul in the 2-1 loss at Wolves earlier in the month - was heard shouting: "Penalty and red card, like at Wolverhampton!"

But former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher disagreed with the Gunners defender as his verdict was that Saka went to ground too easily.

"I think this falls straight into what Stephen [Warnock] says many, many times, if you're a defender making a challenge like this you'd be confident that VAR would actually see that you didn't commit a foul," Gallagher told Sky Sports' Ref Watch.

"If you look here, this is the view of VAR. Minimal contact, he goes down very easily and quite rightly the VAR Andre Marriner says to Stuart Atwell 'go and have a look'

"When Stuart sees that from behind the goal, there's your answer, no penalty."

As mentioned above, this decision didn't end up costing the Gunners as Saka did eventually win a penalty moments later from which Aubameyang successfully converted en route to completing his hat-trick.

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