Premier League issues statement on Arsenal vs. Liverpool offside decision

The Premier League has explained why Mikel Merino's goal for Arsenal against Liverpool on Sunday was allowed to stand.

Merino, who joined the Gunners during the summer transfer window, scored his first goal for the club during Sunday's game. The Spanish midfielder got on the end of Declan Rice's brilliant free kick to nod the ball into the back of Caoimhin Kelleher's net.

Yet the header was immediately reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR), as it was unclear whether Merino was onside. The goal was eventually awarded following a lengthy review - giving Arsenal a 2-1 lead at half-time - leaving some Liverpool fans baffled.

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The Premier League's official "Match Centre" account on X has now explained why the goal was allowed to stand. The account wrote: "The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as there were no attackers in an offside position."

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for Arsenal in the ninth minute before Virgil van Dijk equalized moments later. Merino's header then came just minutes before the break. "The first half has been excellent," said Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.

The former Manchester United captain also offered his opinion on Merino's goal. Neville said on commentary: "I think Van Dijk is playing everyone onside. It looks pretty clear. Why are they taking so long?"

Ex-Everton and Chelsea winger Pat Nevin, meanwhile, told BBC Radio 5 Live on Merino's goal: "The ball has been zipped into a very dangerous area and it is a very tough one to defend. This is going to be checked because it is very tight. Looks a bit offside to me."

After the goal was awarded, Nevin added: "You felt the goal had been coming for Arsenal in the last few minutes. Mo Salah has hardly had a kick for the last 30 minutes, Luis Diaz has been pushed miles and miles back and Darwin Nunez has been hardly involved at all."