🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨This is going to be VERY controversial. Arsenal fans couldn’t believe what they read 🤯 Arsenal fans were left baffled after they thought they should’ve had a first-half penalty against Liverpool….

Arsenal fans were left frustrated after believing they were denied a clear first-half penalty against Liverpool.

The Gunners took an early lead through Bukayo Saka, who outmaneuvered Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson and rifled the ball into the top of Caoimhín Kelleher’s net in the ninth minute.

However, Liverpool responded just nine minutes later, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner reaching Luis Diaz, who flicked it on for Virgil van Dijk to head home the equalizer. But the excitement continued, as Declan Rice’s perfectly placed free-kick found Mikel Merino in the 43rd minute, restoring Arsenal’s lead and sending the home fans into halftime with confidence.

Despite a strong first half, Arsenal supporters voiced their disappointment, convinced they should have been awarded a penalty. Around the half-hour mark, Gabriel Martinelli broke into Liverpool’s box and was challenged by Alexander-Arnold before Ibrahima Konaté appeared to follow through, bringing Martinelli down. Referee Anthony Taylor, however, dismissed the appeals.

One fan expressed frustration, saying, “19 of 20 teams get a penalty except Arsenal.” Another commented, “The game is gone.” A third vented, “Genuinely never seen a more blatant penalty; Konate goes through Martinelli with no ball contact, and Trent’s there too. What on earth?” A fourth added, “Blatant penalty, but it’s Arsenal, so play on.”

Even Manchester United fans weighed in after a similar decision in their recent 2-1 loss to West Ham, with one saying, “That’s a penalty for Arsenal, but they won’t give it because it’s against Liverpool and not Manchester United. Unlucky Arsenal.”

The atmosphere in the Emirates shifted as Gabriel, Arsenal’s centre-back, was forced off with an apparent injury, bringing Jakub Kiwior into a makeshift central defense alongside Ben White, who was already covering for the suspended William Saliba. The extent of Gabriel’s injury is yet to be known, but it will likely be addressed by Mikel Arteta post-match.

The Premier League addressed the penalty controversy with a statement from the Premier League Match Centre on X: “The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by Konate on Martinelli was checked and confirmed by VAR—deeming that Konate won the ball.”