Saliba’s accidental headbutt on Joao Pedro was given as a penalty – something Mikel Arteta said he’d ‘never seen before’.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has exploded over refereeing ‘inconsistency’ after Brighton forward Joao Pedro was given a penalty after Gunners defender William Saliba against in a 1-1 draw on Sunday morning (all times AEDT).
Gunners prodigy Ethan Nwaneri’s opener was cancelled out by Pedro’s converted penalty at the American Express Stadium in Brighton, with the latter sparking controversy and causing a meltdown among fans and pundits on social media.
In the 61st minute of the game, Pedro beat Saliba to the ball in the box, then flicked the ball up in the air, with both players attempting to head the ball.
The Arsenal centre-back then came into contact with Pedro’s head, with the Brighton striker subsequently converting the penalty after it was awarded by referee Anthony Taylor
Speaking on Matchday Live on Optus Sport, Wright was adamant it should not have been given a penalty, particularly after a very similar, but significantly more violent, clash between Newcastle star Anthony Gordon and Spurs midfielder Dejan Kulusevski earlier in the morning was not given that left the former covereed in blood.
“He’s (Pedro) flicked it up, then Saliba is making a genuine attempt for the ball,” the Arsenal legend said.
“No way is that a penalty, I’m not having that … I can’t sit with it and I can’t understand it.
I’d like to see some consistency with it, we haven’t seen this [contact given a penalty] before. It’s very, very soft.
“When you look at the Kulusevski one on Gordon, he’s smashed into him, we’re talking about out of control and clumsy – and they’ve not given that as a penalty.
“If that’s not given that as a penalty, then William Saliba’s certainly shouldn’t be given – it’s the inconsistency. It’s very difficult to accept it [Pedro penalty] when they don’t give the other one.”
After rolling around on the ground for a few moments after the incident, Pedro then picked himself up to bury the spot-kick into the right corner, sending David Raya the wrong way.
Wright also reserved some criticism for Pedro’s dramatic reaction.
“Pedro took the penalty, but you wouldn’t have thought so given he’s on the floor there, he’s acting like he got a proper Scottish headbutt,” he said on Matchday Live.
“It was just a clip when Saliba was just trying to head the ball.
“I’m not even sure it’s enough for him (Pedro) to go down.”
Like Wright, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was gobsmacked that Saliba was punished with a penalty.
“(It’s) a decision that is very, very disappointing,” said Arsenal boss Arteta, who termed the ruling “bizarre” during an interview with BBC Radio 5Live.
I’ve never seen a decision like this in my career. I asked the boys if they have, and nobody has seen it before.
“When you look at the incident, the distance, and the player Joao touching the ball, then Saliba touching the ball, you can see contact there.”
Brighton boss Hurzeler didn’t agree, saying it was a clear penalty to Pedro.
“Penalty. Clear penalty,” the German said after the draw.
“If it happens with a different piece of the body, for example knee to knee, it (the challenge) is just too late.
“It’s just the fact that it’s too late, so I can’t understand to say it’s not a penalty.”
The draw means the second-placed Gunners could not make up any ground on Liverpool, who are five points and seven in goal differential ahead with two games in hand.
They’ll next host the in-form Newcastle on January 8, while Brighton will travel to Ipswich on January 17 after taking on Norwich in the FA Cup – with all three games live on Optus Sport.
