Martin Odegaard condemns VAR decision to reject Arsenal goal for ‘very soft’ challenge on Eriksen

Martin Odegaard has made the decision to disapprove of an Arsenal goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Gunners were beaten 3-1 by United but thought they had taken the lead through Gabriel Martinelli.

However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR check, with Odegaard allegedly fouling Christian Eriksen in the run-up.

After the game, Odegaard adamantly said that Paul Tierney’s decision to rule out the goal was “very, very soft”.

Odegaard said: ‘In my opinion it is never a violation. A soft challenge and to let the VAR in it has to be plain and clear. Very, very soft. You can make it look worse on camera. Never a foul, said the referee, continue.’

Arsenal manager Arteta also criticized the decision, saying ‘we ask for consistency’.

He said: “The referee said it was a very soft decision – we are just asking for consistency, today we disallowed the goal again, unfortunately there is nothing we can do now.”

United took the lead through new signing Antony, with Bukayo Saka equalizing for Arsenal in the second half.

Referee Paul Tierney consulted VAR and ruled that Odegaard had fouled Eriksen

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was also disappointed with the decision to disallow the goal

United managed to prevail, however, with Marcus Rashford scoring a brace.

It has been a weekend of controversial VAR decisions in the Premier League.

Newcastle were denied a goal against Crystal Palace because Joe Willock was penalized for a foul, but he himself was pushed by Tyrick Mitchell.

Maxwel Cornet’s late equalizer against Chelsea was disallowed because Jarrod Bowen allegedly caught goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The decision sparked much criticism from West Ham manager David Moyes and captain Declan Rice.

Gabriel Martinelli celebrates his strike, but his goal was subsequently disallowed by VAR

Expert Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink agreed with Odegaard that the goal should have been scored.

On Sky Sports he said: ‘I think it’s ridiculous to come back to that. I don’t think it’s a violation. Eriksen is just weak there. They say that they have changed, that they will be milder.

‘Yes he [Odegaard] does not make contact with the ball, but you are allowed to have contact with players. He is weak. It’s not a violation for me.

“You don’t have to touch the ball. He does not kick the player. He just gets in touch, and that’s okay. Why is that a free kick?’

Despite Arsenal’s defeat to United, Mikel Arteta’s side remain top of the Premier League with 15 points from their first six games.