Arsenal given instant UEFA response to VAR incident against Slavia Prague

Arsenal were awarded a penalty in their Champions League clash with Slavia Prague – with VAR getting involved and UEFA subsequently explaining that decision.

UEFA have confirmed the reason behind the decision to award Arsenal a penalty in their Champions League clash with Slavia Prague. Mikel Arteta’s squad are looking to make it four wins on the bounce in European action against their opponents from the Czech Republic.

Arsenal were the side in the ascendancy and they’d gone close to open the scoring through Gabriel, after just one minute, with Bukayo Saka also threatening early doors. However, the Gunners had to wait until the 32nd minute to break the deadlock.

Saka’s corner was handled in the box by Lukas Provod, with VAR intervening to award a penalty kick. The England international stepped up to convert the spot kick, firing past Jakub Markovič from 12-yards out.

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A statement from UEFA read: “Decision overturned: penalty awarded. Slavia Praha’s player No.17 touched the ball with his left hand, which was in an unnatural position above the shoulder and making his body bigger.”

In scoring the penalty, Saka became the first Arsenal player in history to score in four consecutive away games in the Champions League. Victory for the Gunners tonight will ensure their 100 per cent record continues in Europe’s elite competition this season, consolidating their spot at the top of the Champions League league phase.

Speaking ahead of the game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta discussed how challenging the match against Slavia Prague would be. “Tomorrow [Tuesday night] we know that we have a really tough match here,” he said at his pre-match press conference.

“They haven’t been beaten here at home all season. It’s a team that they’re used to playing together.

“They have a very clear philosophy. They create a massive atmosphere as well.

“So we know there’s going to be a really tough match.”

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