Arsenal’s North London Derby Winner Shouldn’t Have Stood, Claims Paul Merson
Arsenal’s hard-fought 1-0 win over Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has sparked controversy, with many questioning the validity of Gabriel Magalhaes’ 68th-minute header. And, in a surprising twist, former Gunner Paul Merson has joined the chorus of dissent, claiming the goal should have been ruled out for a foul on Cristian Romero.
As the match footage was rewatched, Merson was adamant that Romero was fouled by Magalhaes, citing poor defending from the Spurs center-back. "I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get a foul," Merson said on Sky Sports. "He’s in the wrong position, everything is wrong about his defending. He’s a center-half, he’s an international, even I know – and I don’t even play at the back – that you’ve got to be side-on. You’ve got to be seeing the ball and your player."
Merson’s assessment was echoed by fans on social media, with many expressing their disappointment at the lack of a VAR check following the goal. The Brazilian’s header was met with a mixture of celebrations and protests from the Arsenal and Spurs players, respectively, but the match officials seemingly ignored the potential foul.
Despite the controversy, Arsenal’s win means they have now beaten Spurs at their new ground more times since it opened than Spurs have managed at The Emirates since 2006. The Gunners’ unbeaten start to the season remains intact, with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard serving suspensions and injuries.
Son Heung-min, Spurs captain, acknowledged his side’s poor defending, stating, "We dominated the game, the football was there, we just conceded from a set-piece again… We did it last season and it is really frustrating. I am sure the fans are also very disappointed. We have to improve, 100%, it’s a tough moment and we have to stick together."
The debate surrounding Magalhaes’ goal is unlikely to subside anytime soon, with Arsenal fans celebrating their team’s victory and Spurs supporters still seething over the potential injustice. As the controversy simmers, one thing is clear: the North London derby will always be a fiercely contested and drama-filled affair.
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