Why Riccardo Calafiori Arsenal goal was ruled out vs Chelsea as VAR statement released
Riccardo Calafiori thought he had levelled proceedings inside the opening quarter of an hour.(Image: Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The Premier League have explained why Arsenal were denied an equaliser during the first half of Sunday afternoon's clash against Chelsea. Shortly after Morgan Rogers had put the Blues ahead at the Emirates Stadium, Riccardo Calafiori thought he had levelled proceedings, smashing the ball past Emi Martinez from close range following a scuffle in the six-yard box.
A deflected delivery from Declan Rice fell to the feet of Gabriel Magalhaes at the back post, whose effort was smothered by the Blues goalkeeper. The ricochet fell to Ezri Konsa, who was in an offside position, and he then struck the post.
It rebounded back into the heart of the six-yard box before flying into the Chelsea net. While the Video Assistant Referee, Darren England, and his assistant, Constantine Hatzidakis, reviewed the footage at Stockley Park, the Gunners waltzed away in celebration, waving each other back for the restart.
After a swift check, the goal was chalked off, and the Blues were awarded a free-kick. Having not been required to make a decision of his own via the pitchside monitor, Chris Kavanagh did not explain the call to supporters in the ground, but simply signalled the decision with his arm.
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In an official statement on social media, the Premier League Match Centre offered an explanation for those unaware of the rules. They wrote: "#ARSCHE – 12’ VAR OVERTURN VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and determined that Konsa was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed."
Speaking on Sky Sports from the gantry at the Emirates Stadium, Gary Neville reacted to the call. At first, the Manchester United legend thought Kai Havertz was going to be penalised for obstructing the view of Martinez from an offside position.
He then quickly realised that Konsa was offside in the build-up. Neville said: "I disagree with it. I mean, look, there's no doubt that he's in an offside position, but, for me, Emi Martinez has a clear chance to save it.
"I don't think he (Havertz) is interfering with him. If he did [get a touch, Konsa] that would bring him into play. So there, now, there’s no interference there, and Konsa is offside at that point.
"Oh, he touches it. Correction – apologies to VAR and ProRef!"
Arsenal did eventually equalise. Shortly before the half-hour mark, Havertz cut inside onto his left foot and found the bottom corner, weaving the ball through the narrowest of gaps through Maxence Lacroix's legs.
Reacting to the end-to-end game, Neville said: "The way Chelsea have started this game has just forced Arsenal to shift up a gear."
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