'I would say': Alan Shearer delivers surprise verdict on whether William Saliba actually fouled Joao Pedro
Yesterday at 02:34 AM
Arsenal fans may be feeling even more frustrated about their draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday following Liverpool's own 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
Once again, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side failed to capitalise on Liverpool dropping points, even if they did have a tricky fixture away to Brighton themselves.
However, Brighton haven't been at their best of late, and the feeling was that the home side were there for the taking, had Arsenal got it right.
But after Ethan Nwaneri's brilliant opener, the Gunners' performance was abject, particularly in the second half.
In addition, Arsenal were then denied the chance to simply hold onto their 1-0 lead owing to a controversial penalty decision, with it deemed that William Saliba fouled Joao Pedro.
Both players competed for the ball with their heads in the box, both made contact, but Anthony Taylor decided that Saliba had fouled the Brazilian striker who was writhing in pain.
Alan Shearer suggests William Saliba did foul Joao Pedro in penalty call
That being said, Alan Shearer delivered his verdict on the situation on 'The Rest is Football' podcast, when speaking alongside Gary Lineker.
Lineker thinks it wasn't a penalty, an opinion he's already expressed since the incident.
However, Shearer wasn't so convinced that Taylor had simply made a massive error, making the point that Saliba's challenge was still mistimed, whether it was with his head or not.
Shearer said: "No, I’ve never seen that given either, but I wouldn’t be as strong as what you guys were on Match of the Day last evening, because what I would say to you is that, okay, it’s accidental.
"But if someone deliberately goes for the ball and mistimes their tackle, but still may touch the ball but takes the guy out, then that’s a penalty.
"So tell me the difference?"
Lineker replied: "If you look at it in really slow motion, and let’s pretend that Saliba didn’t head the ball, but he clearly did. He headed it before he touched the player.
"Now normally in a tackle in the box, if a player gets a toe in and gets it away, and then he flicks the fella’s ankle, normally now the referees will go, no, he got the ball.
"So that’s to answer that question. But if you look at it in slow motion, it’s very different to looking at it in normal speed. In normal speed, you would never have given.
"I think he’s given the penalty. I don’t think he could even see it properly. I think he gave the penalty because Joao Pedro went down screaming – and do we want to give penalties for that?"
Arsenal unlikely to have Ethan Nwaneri fit for crucial cup ties
Of course, Arsenal won't be able to dwell on the incident for too long given that they've now got two huge cup ties this week.
Shearer's side, Newcastle United, arrive at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday for the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
Arsenal will likely be without Ethan Nwaneri owing to the injury that he suffered in the game in question against Brighton.
Thomas Partey complimented Nwaneri after the draw, but it now seems as if the 17-year-old will be missing for a period.
A difficult week for Arteta to navigate, with a buoyed Manchester United side also hoping to cause Arsenal some heartache on Sunday in the FA Cup, too.
