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Fabregas, Keown and Gudjohnsen all AGREE on big referee decision during Chelsea vs Arsenal
ARSENAL wanted a penalty in the first half of the Europa League final against Chelsea - but was the referee right to not award it?
Arsenal: Pundits say Lacazette incident was not a penalty
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette went down under a challenge from Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Referee Gianluca Rocchi waved away the Frenchman’s claims and only gave a goal kick.
Replays showed Kepa made contact with Lacazette’s shin, first with his hand and then with his head.
But despite the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR), still no penalty was given.
It’s a tough one, VAR’s looking at it and I think they come to the right conclusion
The decision was discussed at half time in the BT Sport studio and all three pundits agreed the right call was made.
“No chance for me,” said former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.
“I don’t think the goalkeeper touches him.
“I think he’s lost control of the ball, Lacazette, as he goes through and he goes down too easily. No penalty for me.”
Ex-Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown concurred with Gudjohnsen.
“I don’t think it’s enough to be fair, sitting here as an Arsenal man,” Keown said.
“I think we accept that.
“If that was given against Arsenal they’d all be, certainly the supporters, very angry about that.
“It’s a tough one, VAR’s looking at it and I think they come to the right conclusion.”
Cesc Fabregas, who played for both sides, says Lacazette was not at fault for going down though.
“I don’t consider it a dive either,” Fabregas said.
“It’s a natural movement.”