Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher claims that the match officials in Arsenal's clash against Southampton made the right decision surrounding a penalty call that didn't go the Gunners' way. Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus appeared to have been fouled when Saints defender Duje Caleta-Car pulled him back by the waist.
The forward managed to stay on his feet, however, the appeals for a penalty afterwards were not given as his side went on to draw 1-1 in a frustrating tie. Jesus then discussed the decision with the ref, which he said after the game: "I spoke with him straight after, and he said, 'if you go down before, maybe I can give a penalty.
"But I think I was fair. I tried to hold and keep standing and tried to finish the action, but in the end, he grabbed me, and it was impossible, so I go down normally. But that is not the reason why we don't win the game, and we had a lot of chances."
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While the 25-year-old admitted it may not have been a penalty once he looked to play on, plenty disagreed with the decision, likening it to Scott McTominay's foul that gave Chelsea a penalty in their tie against Manchester United just a day prior. However, the decision is something that former Premier League referee Gallagher agrees with, telling Sky Sports: "Tough call, I think tangle of legs, coming together, call it what you like.
"It's untidy, but it seems a little bit unfair when you see the Southampton player does get the ball there to say it's a foul, you know. People say, 'well he still catches him afterwards', he does play the ball, but he is clumsy, and the pair of them are both going for the ball. So I'd side with the referee."
It may seem a shock response, given the amount of contact with the defender's arms around Jesus rather than the clash of legs mentioned. However, it was a decision that, ultimately, both Jesus and Gallagher agreed with on the referee.
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