English former footballer and manager Paul Merson explains why VAR should’ve ruled out Arsenal’s winning goal vs Tottenham

Arsenal won the North London Derby at N17 for the third time in a row by scoring another goal from a set piece against Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.

The goal that won the game for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur, according to Paul Merson, should have been called off by the video assistant referee. The Gunners beat Ange Postecoglou’s team 1-0 on Sunday afternoon thanks to a goal from Gabriel Magalhaes. It was their third straight North London Derby win at N17.

Not long after the hour mark, the 26-year-old back scored with a powerful header. Gabriel grabbed a great pass from Bukayo Saka, jumped over Cristian Romero, and hit the ball hard past Guglielmo Vicario.

The Tottenham defender didn’t seem to mind the contact, and he didn’t try to argue with Jarred Gillett, the on-field judge, about the no-foul call. There was no foul seen by Stuart Attwell or his helper, Constantine Hatzidakis, at Stockley Park, so Arsenal’s goal was ruled legal.’

Gabriel laughed and wheeled off, and Romero and his friends started getting ready for the next play. When the game was over, Merson said that he thought Gillet would call a foul if he were the Tottenham player.

On Sky Sports, the former Arsenal player said, “I would be upset if I didn’t get a foul.” Romero is in the wrong place, and his defense is flawed in every way. He plays center back for his country.

“I know that you have to be side-on to see the ball and your player, and I don’t play at the back.” To begin with, you had to be about a hand’s length away from him, and he was standing next to him. I think so; I’d expect a foul. I think there will be a mistake.

Dermot Gallagher didn’t agree with Merson in a chat on Sky Sports’ Referee Watch show on Monday morning. The former official from the Premier League said, “It’s a rough game, and the referee lets a little bit go.” If you think that’s a foul, the defense on the line did foul; Romero grabbed someone around the waste, which was more of a foul.

Postecoglou was asked by reporters how upset he was to give up another set piece against Arsenal after the North London Derby. “Yeah, we dealt with them well for the most part,” Spurs’ manager said.

“For one, we turned off, and you pay for it.” That’s what takes place. There were never going to be many points between the teams. It turned out to be a very important moment.

Postecoglou also said, “We did a good job with them.” It’s clear that Arsenal is a very big threat from set pieces. One is enough. A few other people turned off as well, not just Romero. When Gabriel is in that kind of position, he is always a threat. It cost us something.