"Ref Watch: Saliba Penalized vs. Brighton – Gallagher's Take"

Arsenal defender William Saliba found himself in the spotlight during a contentious incident in their recent Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion. A controversial penalty was awarded against the French international, prompting a wave of discussion among fans, pundits, and former referees. Sky Sports’ resident referee expert Dermot Gallagher has now provided his analysis, offering a decisive verdict on the matter: “The ball didn’t get Saliba; Saliba got the ball.”
The Incident
The incident occurred in the 62nd minute, with Brighton launching a swift attack down Arsenal’s right flank. Saliba, tasked with defending his box, lunged in to challenge Brighton’s forward Evan Ferguson. While the Arsenal defender appeared to make contact with the ball, replays revealed a more nuanced picture. The ball ricocheted away from Ferguson, but not before what seemed to be a foul by Saliba.
Referee Michael Oliver immediately pointed to the spot, awarding a penalty to Brighton. Despite Saliba’s protests and a VAR check, the decision stood, leading to uproar among Arsenal supporters who believed their defender was harshly penalized.
Dermot Gallagher’s Verdict
In his weekly segment Ref Watch on Sky Sports, Dermot Gallagher dissected the incident. His analysis was succinct yet thorough, offering clarity on why the referee made the call. “It’s a difficult situation for Saliba. While he does attempt to play the ball, the key detail is that his challenge impeded the forward before he could properly control or shoot,” Gallagher explained.
“The crucial thing to note is that Saliba’s contact wasn’t clean. The ball didn’t deflect naturally as it would if he had won it outright. Instead, it was Ferguson’s body position and Saliba’s mistimed intervention that determined the outcome. In such cases, referees are instructed to protect attacking players, and this is why the penalty decision was upheld after the VAR check.”
Gallagher added, “The ball might have been touched slightly, but that doesn’t negate the fact that the challenge had already disrupted Ferguson’s movement. The defender’s actions, even if unintentionally reckless, constituted a foul under the laws of the game.”
Reaction from Arsenal and Brighton Camps
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration post-match, insisting that Saliba’s challenge was fair and the penalty call was harsh. “William clearly got the ball first,” Arteta stated. “These decisions have a huge impact on the game. We believe it was a fair tackle, but unfortunately, it didn’t go our way.”
On the other hand, Brighton’s head coach Roberto De Zerbi hailed the referee’s decision as the correct one. “We were confident it was a penalty. Saliba made contact with Evan, and that disrupted his ability to play. The rules are clear, and I think VAR confirmed that.”
What This Means for Arsenal
The penalty decision proved to be a turning point in the match, as Brighton converted from the spot to equalize. Arsenal, who had been leading 1-0, were unable to regain momentum and eventually settled for a draw. The result leaves the Gunners with dropped points in a tightly contested Premier League title race.
This incident also raises questions about Arsenal’s defensive fragility in critical moments. Saliba, though typically a commanding presence at the back, has had occasional lapses this season, and this penalty incident underscores the fine margins defenders operate under in modern football.
The Bigger Picture
Gallagher’s breakdown highlights the increasing reliance on VAR to make or uphold decisions, a trend that has divided opinion across football. While technology has undoubtedly improved accuracy, it has also introduced a layer of subjectivity in interpreting the laws of the game.
As Arsenal and Brighton move forward, the incident will serve as a learning moment for Saliba and a reminder to defenders everywhere of the importance of precision in high-pressure scenarios. For the fans, however, debates around the penalty call will continue to dominate discussions in the days ahead.
Ultimately, Dermot Gallagher’s assessment brings clarity to a contentious moment, but it’s unlikely to quell the frustration of Arsenal supporters who feel their team was hard done by on the day.