Arsenal beat Hull City to extend lead as VAR penalty decision sparks controversy

Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Hull City, but their victory was overshadowed by a disputed first-half VAR decision that denied them a penalty.

Martin Odegaard scored the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute, reacting first after Hull goalkeeper saved a powerful effort from Noni Madueke. The result gave Arsenal their fifth consecutive league win and their ninth victory in the opening 10 rounds.

The main controversy came before half-time when Kai Havertz went down inside the penalty area after Hull defender Noble Mendy appeared to pull his shirt. Arsenal appealed for a spot-kick, prompting a VAR review.

Referee Farai Hallam was then sent to the pitchside monitor. After watching the incident, he awarded Hull City a free-kick instead, having been told by the video assistant referee that Havertz had been in an offside position during the build-up.

That decision angered Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who protested to the fourth official before the interval.

However, the debate continued after the final whistle. BBC refereeing expert Dale Johnson said the VAR intervention was controversial and argued that Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty, according to Football London.

Johnson explained that an offside position does not automatically constitute an offence. A player must become involved in active play by attempting to play the ball or challenging an opponent before an offside offence can be penalised.

He added that Mendy’s shirt pull on Havertz was a foul that occurred before any potential offside offence. On that basis, Johnson said the decision to award Hull a free-kick was open to question under the laws of the game.

A Premier League statement confirmed that VAR had recommended an on-field review to assess a possible penalty for Arsenal following Mendy’s challenge on Havertz. The referee ultimately decided not to award the spot-kick because of an offside offence at the start of the attacking move.

The incident did not prevent Arsenal from taking all three points. Their victory increased their advantage over second-placed Manchester City to six points after Manchester City were beaten 3-1 by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on the same night.