Advertisement

Why Gabriel Martinelli’s Arsenal opener stood after VAR check despite Jamie Vardy protests

Gabriel Martinelli celebrates his goal after scoring to put Arsenal 1-0 ahead during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium.
-Credit: (Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)


Arsenal are in action at the Emirates Stadium as they look to take advantage of Manchester City dropping points in the early kick-off.

The Gunners are taking on Leicester City in the Premier League with the home side considered the strong favourites to take all three points. And the first half went to form, with Arsenal going in at the half-time break 2-0 up, only to be pegged back after the break by two goals from James Justin.

After being frustrated for the opening stages, Gabriel Martinelli opened his goal scoring for the season on 20 minutes. He finished off a good move from the Gunners to put Arsenal 1-0 up.

In the aftermath of the goal, Jamie Vardy and Steve Cooper were shown a yellow card for their protests. Leicester claimed that there was a foul on Vardy in the build-up to the game.

It has been confirmed that there was a VAR check on the goal, but the conclusion was that there was no clear and obvious error made by referee Sam Barratt.

Arsenal doubled their lead just before the half-time whistle. Leandro Trossard marked his return from suspension with a goal in the first minute of added time.

READ MORE: Erling Haaland injury update as Man City handed fresh scare amid Arsenal title race boost

READ MORE: Arsenal legend reveals what teen sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly is like behind closed doors

There was a quick VAR check on the goal for an offside offence. But it was quickly over with Arsenal taking a 2-0 lead just before the whistle.

It looked set to be a comfortable afternoon for the Gunners going into the second half. But Leicester didn’t take long to half the deficit.

Full-back James Justin turned in a free-kick just three minutes in the second half to make the score 2-1. The same player scored a stunning goal to draw Leicester back level with just over 25 minutes to play.