Fans Fume After VAR Disallowed Brighton Goal vs Arsenal to Halt Comeback

• Arsenal and Brighton played out a six-goal thriller at the Amex Community Stadium on Saturday
• The match was punctuated with a controversial moment after Brighton were denied a goal by VAR
• Kaoru Mitoma appeared to have pulled one back for the Seagulls deep in the second half but the goal was overturned
• The Gunners eventually emerged as the victors as they opened a seven-point lead at the top of the log

A section of Premier League fans has expressed their displeasure after VAR disallowed a Brighton goal to deny them a chance to stage a comeback against Arsenal.

The two sides played out a six-goal thriller in a cracking clash on Saturday, December 31, at the AMEX Stadium, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard playing starring roles.

Saka needed just two minutes after the kick-off to break the deadlock before Odegaard doubled the advantage in the 39th minute.

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Eddie Nketiah made it 3-0 shortly after the break, with Kaoru Mitoma pulling one back for the hosts in the 65th minute.

Gabriel Martinelli went on to restore Arsenal's three-goal advantage in

the 71st minute only for Evan Ferguson to make it 4-2 for Brighton six minutes later.

Brighton denied by VAR

The Sun reports that Mitoma thought he had got the Seagulls right back into the game at 4-3 moments later, only for VAR to chalk off the goal.

According to the publication, the decision taken by VAR sparked angry reactions from fans, with many suggesting the goal should have stood.

One said:

"Mitoma’s second goal perfectly describes why the offside rule needs to change."

A second added:

"Was the ball played forward? Or am I getting this offside confused."

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A third observed:

"Ball went backwards didn’t it? Therefore can’t be offside!"

Another conceded:

"Why did VAR even get involved? That was so close and so influential… for the benefit of free flowing and fun games, that was just pathetic."

While a fifth pointed out:

"I’m an Arsenal fan and a supporter of VAR but overturning that third goal made no sense."

Zinchenko backs Nketiah

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has backed Eddie Nketiah to successfully fill the void left by Gabriel Jesus.

Jesus, who joined the Gunners in the summer has played a central role in the club's impressive start to the Premier League.

The Brazilian star has already scored five goals in the English top flight to help the north Londoners launch a serious title bid.