Yesterday’s result was a horrific end to a week that had started in a similar fashion for Arsenal. The Gunners should not have been reliant on VAR or luck to overcome what was proven to be a lacklustre Brighton team that had not won in seven matches.
However, this did not prevent the Arsenal fan base from criticising the offside decision which ruled out Gabriel Martinelli’s goal and, in fairness, they have a point. Gabriel Magalhaes’ header was converted by his compatriot, but no conclusive camera angle could prove if Martinelli was offside.
Marc Cucurella’s body position was obscured by Robert Sanchez and it was impossible to definitively say whether the Spaniard was playing Martinelli on. The broadcast showed two lines clearly putting the 20-year-old offside, but it was unclear why the line for the Brighton defender had been positioned in its location.
