EPL: Why VAR denied Arsenal penalty in Everton defeat

Former Premier League referee, Peter Walton, has explained why Arsenal were not given a penalty during their 1-0 loss to Everton on Saturday.

Defender Gabriel Magalhaes felt his team should have been awarded a penalty after he was tripped by Neal Maupay on Saturday.

A James Tarkowski header handed the Gunners their second defeat of this Premier League campaign.

Things could have been different if Arsenal were awarded a spot-kick shortly after Tarkowski’s goal.

It appeared as if Gabriel had been tripped by Maupay, which in turn sent the Brazilian clattering into Idrissa Gueye.

Referee David Coote gave Everton a free-kick, which led to more appeals from the Arsenal stars.

While this was going on, VAR checked the incident and eventually stood by Coote’s on-field decision.

“The initiation of contact was from the Arsenal player so I don’t think this will be given as a penalty kick, certainly there was enough contact there, but not a penalty kick,” Walton said during BT Sport’s coverage of the clash.