Mark Clattenburg reveals whether VAR was right to overturn Arsenal’s penalty vs Fulham

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Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has exclusively revealed to Arsenal Insider whether the Gunners deserved a penalty against Fulham.

Mikel Arteta’s side returned to the top of the Premier League table with a hard-fought win against the Whites at Craven Cottage.

Leandro Trossard scored the only goal of the game, but there could’ve been another as Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty to the Gunners in the second half.

However, VAR intervened and overturned that decision.

Exclusive: Mark Clattenburg delivers verdict on Arsenal penalty decision vs Fulham

Arsenal fans all thought they had won a penalty against Fulham.

Bukayo Saka seemed to have been fouled by Kevin inside the box, and Taylor pointed to the spot immediately.

Like with every decision, there was a VAR check, and the referee was instructed to head to the monitor to have a second look.

Taylor was shown footage of Kevin getting a slight touch on the ball after he tackled Saka. That convinced him to change his original decision.

Arsenal Insider asked Mark Clattenburg what he thought about the decision.

He exclusively told us: “Arsenal were awarded a penalty for a challenge by Kevin on Bukayo Saka inside the penalty area. The referee, Anthony Taylor, was well placed to see the challenge and decided to award a penalty kick.

“Taylor does not see the ball change direction and sees that Kevin, while making the challenge, touches the ball with his foot. At the touch of the ball, Kevin might also touch Saka’s knee, but I believe this contact is normal contact in the act of playing the ball.

“This is a very good use of VAR, to recommend the referee to change his original decision.”

What Mikel Arteta did after Arsenal’s penalty was overturned

If the penalty had not been overturned and Arsenal had converted the spot kick, the game would’ve been over.

That would’ve been a huge relief against such a difficult opponent, but Fulham fans were re-energised after hearing Taylor rescind his decision.

Arteta sensed that and quickly lifted his players up. The Arsenal manager screamed from the touchline and urged his men to get their heads back in the game.

“Arteta immediately told his players to switch on, put it behind them,” Jim Proudfoot said on commentary on Premier League Productions.

Arsenal did just that, held on to their lead without too much trouble, and extended their brilliant run.