Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has explained why Arsenal's controversial goal against Manchester United was allowed to stand.
Gunners playmaker Emile Smith Rowe broke the deadlock, firing the ball into the back of the net at Old Trafford in the 13th minute.
The goal was shrouded in controversy as United goalkeeper David De Gea was on the floor, allowing Smith Rowe to put the ball into the empty net, with referee Martin Atkinson initially seeming to disallow the goal.
However, replays showed that De Gea was injured by United midfielder Fred before Atkinson decided to allow the goal to stand.
Whilst the official was deliberating, Clattenburg gave his verdict on the incident, claiming that the goal was perfectly legal.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, he said: "Martin Atkinson has to give the goal here because what you see is Fred accidentally stamps on De Gea’s foot so therefore it isn't a foul by an Arsenal player.
"He doesn’t blow the whistle so therefore he has to give the goal."
It was Smith Rowe's fifth Premier League goal of the season - a hugely impressive record considering he is still just 21-years-old as the Hale End academy graduate has enjoyed an extremely consistent season for the Gunners.
A win against the Red Devils would bring Mikel Arteta's side up to fourth in the Premier League standings as they sat fifth in the table before kick-off.
Their opponents have struggled in recent times, winning just one of their last eight league outings, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked as head coach last month following a 4-1 defeat to Watford.
