Ex-PGMOL boss slams Arsenal referee error vs Fulham for ‘weak’ decision that cost Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal were held to a draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. 

The Gunners went into this game knowing that any points gained would see them close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table, given the postponement of the Merseyside derby due to adverse weather.

Whilst Arsenal were able to put another point on the board with this stalemate in West London, Mikel Arteta’s side couldn’t secure the win that they craved.

However, Arsenal did think that they had snatched defeat in the dying moments, as Bukayo Saka found the back of the net. A VAR review saw the goal chalked off, though, as Gabriel Martinelli was found to have strayed offside.

Arsenal fans were furious with Martinelli, but this was not the only chance to score a crucial goal that the Gunners squandered. 

• READ MORE: The eight worst Arsenal VAR decisions of all time in Premier League games

Arsenal penalty claim vs Fulham

As far as former referee and PGMOL boss Keith Hackett is concerned, though, this offside call was not the only officiating decision to go against Arsenal on Sunday.

Writing on X, Hackett bemoaned Fulham’s physical approach to defending set-pieces against Arsenal, calling out one first half incident which saw Adama Traore bundle William Saliba off the pitch as the Gunners took a corner.

He said: “Wrestled and pushed off the field of play – a penalty kick@offence but no one cares. Rugby style play is now allowed in our game of FOOTball and the norm thanks to weak officiating.”

The real reason Arsenal failed to beat Fulham

Of course, had Arsenal been awarded a spot kick for this perceived offence, the outcome of the match may well have been very different.

However, Arteta cannot simply point to this potential injustice as the reason that his side failed to win.

The Spanish coach must face up to the flaws in his squad that were exposed at Craven Cottage. Arsenal fans are desperate for Arteta to sign a striker, and for good reason.

Whilst Kai Havertz has led the line effectively for the Gunners at times, he is not the most prolific of forwards. If Arsenal are to stand any chance of being crowned champions, they need a reliable and clinical goalscorer.