Arsenal sent clear verdict over controversial Man Utd winner as passionate statement made

Mark Clattenburg claims PGMOL let Manchester United down by allowing Arsenal's winning goal to stand in Sunday's Premier League opener.

Riccardo Calafiori's first-half header at the far post proved the decisive moment as the Gunners left Old Trafford with a 1-0 victory and three points to kickstart their title challenge.

In the 13th minute, United keeper Altay Bayindir made a mess of Declan Rice’s dangerous in-swinging corner. The Turkish international fluffed his attempt to punch the ball away while under pressure from Arsenal defender William Saliba.

Replays showed that the Frenchman may have been lucky not to be penalised for pulling Mason Mount’s shirt in the build-up. The moment proved pivotal as Arsenal defended their lead to begin their campaign with a victory, despite an otherwise lacklustre performance.

United were the superior side on the day and showed clear signs of progress under Ruben Amorim. But their struggles in front of goal persisted as they endured yet another defeat under the Portuguese.

Former Premier League referee Clattenburg believes the Red Devils can count themselves unlucky, however, claiming PGMOL ignored their own commitment before the campaign began to stamp down on tactics used to impede players during corners.

"In real time, I did not see any problem with Arsenal's goal," Clattenburg told United In Focus. “But when you watch it in slow motion, you can see Mason Mount was having his shirt pulled and Bayindir was being impeded while challenging for the ball.

"PGMOL said they would punish this type of challenge more, but again they failed."

Only days before the new season got underway, PGMOL chief Howard Webb stated that referees would be stricter when it came to holding in the penalty box this term.

Following feedback from Premier League captains, players and clubs, it was understood that referees would clamp down on grappling during set pieces, where a player impacts an opponent’s movement.

Amorim complained after the final whistle that, if what Saliba did during the corner was legal, he would instruct his players to do the same going forward.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have become a huge threat from set-pieces since the arrival of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover in 2021. They have scored the most set-piece goals in the league in that period, including 20 in the 2023/24 season alone.

After a poor display on Sunday, Arteta will look for a much-improved performance at home against Leeds United on Saturday. Amorim’s side, meanwhile, will look to bounce back away at Fulham on Sunday.

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