Chelsea informed of VAR mistake as Arsenal escape Declan Rice penalty | OneFootball

Premier League leaders scored twice from dead balls in derby victory

Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty in their defeat by Arsenal, a former Premier League referee has said.

The incident - as well as numerous others during Arsenal’s 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium - heated up discourse on holding in dead-ball scenarios.

The Gunners extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points with their derby day victory, having seen Manchester City close the gap to two with a win over Leeds on Saturday.

On Sky Sports’ ‘Ref Watch’, Gallagher concluded that Rice should have had a penalty given against him for handball.

"I thought it was a penalty,” Gallagher said.

"I get told it's because he's engaging with an opponent, but in my opinion you shouldn't be engaged with an opponent that high up, he shouldn't have his arms around his shoulder."

Arsenal scored both their goals on Sunday from corner routines, with defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber both scrambling home from their respective set-plays.

However, attentions were turned to the Gunners’ defending when Chelsea had set-piece opportunities, with replays showing goalscorer Saliba holding Blues striker Joao Pedro in one incident.

The home goalkeeper David Raya was also seen to have punched the Brazilian in a separate situation.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said on Monday that he “didn’t like” the over-reliance on set-pieces in the Premier League this season, with Arsenal scoring the most from dead balls of all 20 top-flight sides.

Of their 58 league goals this term, the Gunners have scored 22 from set-plays.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have scored the most set-piece goals since the turn of the year, and the Reds struck three times from corners in their 5-2 win over West Ham at the weekend.