Arsenal have received further analysis of the controversial penalty decision during their 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, with former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher admitting that Jurrien Timber was fortunate to escape punishment.

According to a report by Football London on Monday, November 2, 2026, Gallagher described the incident as a difficult situation for the VAR officials, explaining that intervening could have exposed them to accusations of re-refereeing the match.

Mikel Arteta’s side secured all three points through Kai Havertz’s 16th-minute goal, but Liverpool’s unsuccessful penalty appeal became one of the major talking points after the final whistle.

The controversy occurred when Alexander Isak attempted to reach a cross inside Arsenal’s penalty area and appeared to have his shirt pulled by Timber, preventing him from getting to the ball.

Referee Andy Madley allowed play to continue, while VAR official Stuart Attwell decided that there was insufficient evidence to overturn the original decision.

Discussing the incident, Gallagher explained that the different camera angles made the situation difficult to assess. He noted that the initial angle available to the referee did not clearly reveal the shirt pull, while another angle used by VAR presented a more convincing picture.

He also suggested that the officials could have faced criticism for effectively re-refereeing the match if they had recommended a penalty.

However, after reviewing the incident several times, Gallagher admitted that Timber had taken a significant risk and was fortunate not to concede a spot kick.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright also disagreed with the decision, arguing that Isak should not have needed to go to ground to convince the officials that his shirt had been pulled.

Wright questioned why the Liverpool forward would have to exaggerate the incident when the contact was already apparent.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher similarly criticised the decision, arguing that the shirt pull prevented one of the Premier League’s leading goalscorers from reaching the ball.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood also insisted that VAR should have recommended an on-field review.

Meanwhile, Gallagher dismissed Liverpool’s separate penalty appeals involving Cody Gakpo and Christos Tzolis, explaining that the ball had travelled too far for the forward to reach it.

The disputed decisions have continued to generate debate about VAR consistency and the interpretation of shirt-pulling incidents in the Premier League.

Despite Liverpool’s protests, Arsenal held on to their narrow victory, with Havertz’s early goal helping Arteta’s side maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table.