Arsenal beat Burnley on Sunday via a controversial late winner from Laurent Koscielny.
Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny scores their first goal
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has told Sky Sports that Arsenal’s controversial winning goal against Burnley was correctly allowed to stand.
The Gunners travelled to Turf Moor on Sunday afternoon looking to continue their strong start to the season.
Sean Dyche’s side were not willing to roll over easily, though, and looked to be on their way to a vital point as the game headed into stoppage time at 0-0.
However, a late corner kick for Arsenal saw the ball find Laurent Koscielny at the back post, with Frenchman converting clumsily via a deflection off his arm.
Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny celebrates scoring their first goal with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (L)
For many, it was a goal that should not have stood, even if the handball was accidental but Gallagher insists the referee was right to reward it.
“It struck him and we are stuck with the rule where it has to be deliberate,” he told Sky Sports.
“People said his arms were up but that’s because he used his arms for elevation. He has actually miskicked it, it has flown up and hit him, so it’s not hand to ball, it’s ball to hand. There is nothing wrong in the law with what happened.”
Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates after Laurent Koscielny scores their first goal
In any case, Arsenal will be praising their luck as that late goal moved them up to third in the table.
They now have 16 points from their first seven games, leaving them just two points behind league leaders Manchester City.
It means they are firmly in the title race even at this early stage of the season and given how close this year’s race looks likely to be, those controversial three points could prove vital.
Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny celebrates scoring their first goal with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and teammates
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