Dermot Gallagher defends Leeds United captain Liam Cooper after Bukayo Saka 'challenge' in Arsenal clash

DERMOT Gallagher says Stuart Attwell was right to overturn his initial decision to award Arsenal a penalty for Leeds United captain Liam Cooper's 'challenge' on Bukayo Saka.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Attwell pointed to the spot in the 34th minute of Sunday's Premier League clash at the Emirates as young England speedster Saka went to ground on the right hand side of the box when looking to race past Whites skipper Cooper with a pacy run from deep.

However, VAR then intervened to advise Attwell to check the incident on his monitor and the initial decision was overturned, much to the frustration of Saka.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking on Ref Watch on Sky Sports' News' The Football Show, former Premier League referee Gallagher said of the incident: "If you are a defender making a challenge like this, you would be very confident that VAR would actually see that you didn't commit a foul.

"If you look at the view VAR has you see minimal contact, he goes down very, very easily and quite rightly the VAR, Andre Marriner, says to Stuart Attwell 'go and have a look.'

"When Stuart sees that from behind the goal there's your answer, no penalty."

Arsenal were then awarded a second penalty five minutes later but one that stood after Whites 'keeper Illan Meslier clearly brought down Saka when looking to play out from the back.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Leeds were then denied a spot kick in the second half when Patrick Bamford was played in by Jamie Shackleton and sent to ground by a combination of Gunners duo Gabriel and Cedric Soares closing him out for the ball.

PENALTY CALLS: For referee Stuart Attwell, above, to make on three occasions in Sunday's clash between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.PENALTY CALLS: For referee Stuart Attwell, above, to make on three occasions in Sunday's clash between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.
PENALTY CALLS: For referee Stuart Attwell, above, to make on three occasions in Sunday's clash between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.

Attwell waved away United's appeals for a spot kick and VAR did not highlight the incident as a potential penalty.

Gallagher said of United's appeals: "I think no. If you look at the two players that come across, Bamford is slightly the wrong side and goes into them rather than the players going into him.

"The players are entitled to make that challenge. I think the referee is quite right to wave play on.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.