Gary Neville and Mike Dean have both defended the officials’ decision not to award Arsenal a penalty during their 1-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
The incident, which occurred late in the match, saw the ball strike Dominik Szoboszlai’s arm inside the penalty area following a long throw. Arsenal players immediately appealed for a handball, but referee Chris Kavanagh waved away their claims.
The sequence unfolded when Joe Gomez rose to meet the throw but mistimed his header, inadvertently blocking the view of teammate Szoboszlai, who was positioned just behind him.
As a result, the ball dropped awkwardly onto the Hungarian midfielder’s upper arm before looping over Viktor Gyokeres’ shoulder. Liverpool eventually cleared the danger, but Arsenal were adamant they should have been given a penalty.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean explained why the officials made the right call. He pointed out that Szoboszlai’s arm was in a natural position and that the player had made no movement toward the ball. “It’s one of those situations where you’re asking, is it red zone or blue zone?” Dean said. “The ball has travelled a long way, his arm has never moved toward it, it’s simply hit him. For me, that’s the correct decision on field.”
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville backed up Dean’s view, adding that the crowded penalty area played a key role. He suggested that if Szoboszlai had had a clear view and the ball struck his arm after a jump, then it would have been considered a handball.
However, with several players obstructing his sightline, Neville felt it would have been harsh to punish him. “There were four or five bodies in front of him,” he noted. “You just can’t see it in that situation.”
After the match, attention turned to Arsenal’s overall performance, with Roy Keane particularly unimpressed. The former Manchester United captain criticised the Gunners’ lack of sharpness and imagination in attack.
He described them as “robotic,” arguing that while their defensive organisation and strength at set pieces are commendable, they often struggle to produce moments of creativity in open play. “When they were chasing the goal, there was a sense of urgency, but not much invention,” Keane said. “At times, you’re just waiting for someone to do something different, something off the cuff.”
Jamie Carragher echoed Keane’s concerns, stressing that Arsenal’s main issue isn’t finishing chances but creating them in the first place.
According to him, despite additions like Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze, the Gunners still look overly dependent on set pieces to threaten strong opponents. He argued that while their defensive structure is among the best in Europe, their inability to generate enough opportunities in open play could hold them back again this season.
