VAR AND REFEREE ERROR: We are witnessing a daylight robbery!’ – Arsenal fans spit blood at Champions League semi-final referee as official makes series of controversial calls in PSG clash

Why Mikel Merino’s goal was ruled out in Arsenal v PSG Champions League clash

The latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta’s side face PSG in the Champions League semi-finals

Mikel Merino’s goal for Arsenal against PSG was ruled out for offside

Arsenal have received an explanation as to why VAR disallowed Mikel Merino’s equaliser against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Luis Enrique’s side took the lead against the Gunners after just four minutes when, Ousmane Dembele found the back of the net from the edge of the area after some good play from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia down the left, taking that lead into the half-time interval.

Mikel Arteta’s team thought they were level not long after the restart, after a free-kick from Declan Rice hit the back post before Merino headed in unchallenged. But the goal was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check.

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Explaning why Arsenal’s goal was disallowed, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, working for Prime Video, said: “As the Arsenal players are coming backfrom the the onside position, when Declan Rice takes the freekick, as the players got back onto an onside position, what we’ve got to remember is Merino doesn’t have to be in an offside position.

“If them players are blocking the defender’s ability to play the ball then it will be given offside, and that will be a very subjective call.”

Earlier in the match, Arsenal were controversially not awarded a penalty. The incident came after the Gunners managed to get the ball back into the PSG box before Mikel Merino went down when trying to take a shot. However, replays showed that Joao Neves got a last-ditch toe to the ball before Merino was about to shoot.

Referee Slavko Vincic initially caused confusion inside the Emirates Stadium with his hand movement after the incident causing supporters to believe that a penalty was awared.

Clattenburg explained why the non-penalty decision was correct. “The referee confuses the Arsenal fans by looking like he’s pointing to the spot,” he said..