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Manchester City

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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Saliba admits Arsenal were lucky</li><li>Odegaard slipped and handled the ball</li><li>Arsenal held Liverpool to 1-1 draw</li></ul>

'Of course it was a penalty!' - William Saliba admits Arsenal were lucky to escape punishment for Martin Odegaard handball in Liverpool draw

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Saliba was questioned about the decision not to award Liverpool a penalty in the first-half. The Frenchman conceded that his side were lucky that the referee ruled in their favour and the hosts were not given a penalty. Martin Odegaard appeared to lose his footing and, in doing so, moved his arm in the direction of the ball and handled it. A VAR check decided there was no clear and obvious error from the on-field referee, Chris Kavanagh, to not award a penalty.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking after the game, Saliba was questioned on if he believed it was a penalty. He laughed and said: "Yes, of course. Of course, it was a penalty. But, I'm not the referee and we have to accept [the decision]."

WHAT SALIBA SAID

Odegaard can count himself lucky to not have been penalised for what was almost a costly slip. The Arsenal captain will be even more thankful that he has Saliba in his side after the Frenchman put in a man of the match performance at Anfield. The centre half pairing of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arsenal-player-ratings-liverpool-gabriel-magalhaes-william-saliba/blt18b31aa223f50282" target="_blank">Saliba and Arsenal's goalscorer, Gabriel, proved immense</a> at resisting the Liverpool pressure and helped keep Arsenal top of the league.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Gunners are once again top of the league for Christmas. Last year the Gunners <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/william-saliba-injury-arsenal-contract-talks-tougher/bltc00ceee417d1848f#:~:text=of%20the%20Day-,William%20Saliba's%20injury%20killed%20Arsenal's%20season%20%2D%20now%20Gunners%20contract,could%20be%20a%20lot%20tougher&amp;text=Arsenal%20are%20expected%20to%20soon,term%20contracts%20with%20the%20club." target="_blank">capitulated in the new year following Saliba's injury</a> and ensuring the Frenchman does not suffer any more injuries will be crucial for the run-in. Arsenal host West Ham on Thursday night in their penultimate game of 2023.

WHAT NEXT FOR SALIBA AND ARSENAL?

'Of course it was a penalty!' - William Saliba admits Arsenal were lucky to escape punishment for Martin Odegaard handball in Liverpool draw | Goal.com English Bahrain

Arsenal defender William Saliba has admitted that his side were perhaps fortunate not to be penalised when Martin Odegaard handled in th box.

&apos;Of course it was a penalty!&apos; - William Saliba admits Arsenal were lucky to escape punishment for Martin Odegaard handball in Liverpool draw