The Premier League’s refereeing body, PGMOL, has officially addressed the controversy surrounding Bukayo Saka’s denied penalty against Fulham. Arsenal were leading 1–0 at Craven Cottage when referee Anthony Taylor initially awarded a penalty after Saka appeared to be brought down in the box. The moment seemed to promise Arsenal a chance to extend their advantage, but what followed sparked debate and frustration across the football world.
Mikel Arteta and his players believed justice had been served when Taylor first pointed to the spot, ruling that Fulham’s defender Kevin had fouled Saka as he twisted past him. The Arsenal winger hit the turf under pressure, and fans instantly erupted in celebration—only for that joy to be short-lived as VAR called Taylor over to the pitch-side monitor for a review.
After closely rewatching the footage, Taylor reversed his call. The replay revealed Kevin had indeed made contact with the ball before Saka fell, a detail missed in real time. Taylor then announced over the stadium speakers, “After review, number 22 makes a challenge and plays the ball, therefore no foul is committed. No penalty, restart with a drop ball from the goalkeeper.” Arsenal players were visibly frustrated, but the decision stood firm.
To clarify the ruling further, the Premier League’s Match Centre account on X (formerly Twitter) posted an update confirming that the initial penalty decision had been overturned after a proper VAR check. The explanation did little to calm Arsenal fans, many of whom argued that Saka had still been impeded even after the ball contact.
Despite the setback, Arsenal continued to push forward. Their persistence paid off when Leandro Trossard scored from close range following a clever flick from Gabriel Magalhães during a corner. The Belgian’s sharp finish gave the Gunners control of the match once again, silencing the Fulham crowd—at least temporarily.
The loudest cheer from the home supporters came not from Fulham’s attacking play, but from Taylor’s reversed penalty call. Yet even that brief spark wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Fulham’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno—ironically a former Arsenal player—was their standout performer, pulling off crucial saves late in the match, including a double stop against Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyökeres in added time.
With the win, Arsenal reclaimed the Premier League’s top spot, moving three points clear of Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side had earlier climbed to first after Erling Haaland’s brace secured a 2–0 win over Everton, but the Gunners’ response was swift and decisive. Their momentum heading into the international break was undeniable.
In his pre-match press conference, Arteta urged his players not to get distracted by title-race hype. He reminded them how quickly the Premier League narrative can change, saying, “You lose one week, and everyone says it’s over. Then the next, you’re right back where you started.” His message was simple—focus on performance, consistency, and control the controllable. Arsenal followed that script perfectly, proving once again why they remain genuine contenders for the crown.
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