In a dramatic turn of events, Arsenal's Champions League encounter with Slavia Prague was marked by a pivotal moment: a penalty decision aided by VAR. But was it the right call?
The incident unfolded as Slavia Prague's players geared up for a corner, only to be halted by referee Aliyar Aghayev. He had been alerted to a potential handball from the previous play, despite no appeals from Arsenal players. Upon review, the ball seemed to hit Prague's captain, Lukas Provod's hand, after a mistimed header.
Here's where it gets controversial: UEFA's explanation stated that Provod's hand was in an unnatural position, making his body bigger. Provod vehemently disagreed, claiming the ball hit his head first, which, by the rules, wouldn't be a handball. Yet, the penalty stood.
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal's star, kept his composure and slotted home the penalty. Interestingly, the VAR review was swift, contrasting the Premier League's often lengthy delays. Referee Aghayev needed just one replay to make his decision.
Arsenal's clean sheet hopes are high, aiming to match a century-old club record. A win would also propel them to the top of the Champions League table. Despite injuries to key players like Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal's young talent, Saka, continues to shine, adding to his impressive goal tally.
So, was the penalty decision justified? Share your thoughts in the comments, especially if you think Provod's protest had merit. The world of football is listening!
