'Arsenal Denied Penalty By VAR Because Nicolas Pepe's Elbow Is Offside In Baffling Decision

Arsenal have been denied a controversial penalty in their clash with Everton thanks to Nicolas Pepe's elbow being offside.

Dani Ceballos went down rather dramatically under a challenge from Richarlison and the Gunners were given a penalty.

However, VAR then intervened and judged Pepe to have been offside by his elbow in the build-up.

The Ivorian was already stood waiting to take the spot-kick and he looked bemused at the decision.

NO PENALTY! Pepe is penalised for being offside in the build-up, and the penalty is rescinded.

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Fans have reacted to the decision and they're in disbelief at VAR picking out the offside over Ceballos' theatrical fall to the ground.

Arsenal thought they had a penalty but it's been ruled out by VAR for THIS offside 👇

🙃 pic.twitter.com/KvCHBN5D2W

— Goal (@goal) April 23, 2021

Looking for people in this world that actually understand the offside rule under VAR pic.twitter.com/Ynd0Rgq1gb

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) April 23, 2021

When the timeline is kicking up a fuss about VAR, you know that football is back to normal. #ARSEVE

⚽🔴🔵

— Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) April 23, 2021

Not 100% sure that was a pen but VAR has to go. I’d rather have the odd injustice than persist with this microscopic interference. Football is better without VAR. It’s joyless.

— Adrian Clarke (@adrianjclarke) April 23, 2021

This mathematical, game-ruining nonsense can get in all the seas, lakes and oceans. Just put VAR out of its misery. pic.twitter.com/WBAl6t6yFQ

— East Lower (@eastlower) April 23, 2021

I’m turning this game off. This VAR is getting out of hand. Killing my enjoyment in watching my team.

— RUSSAFC (@russafc) April 23, 2021

The only one onside was Vardy against arsenal. VAR isn’t fair it’s biased pic.twitter.com/jaoAMP1njQ

— 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🅰️fc_🅰️dz🔴⚪️🔴⚪️ (@afc_adz) April 23, 2021

Arsenal would eventually lose the game 1-0 thanks to a mistake from Bernd Leno.

Richarlison fizzed a ball into the box which Leno then spilled into his own net.

Defeat leaves Mikel Arteta's side ninth in the Premier League following a sixth home defeat of the season.

They're back in action on Thursday evening when they take on former manager Unai Emery's side Villarreal.

source https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-reactions-arsenal-denied-penalty-by-var-because-nicolas-pepes-elbow-is-offside-20210423