(DDM) – Arsenal’s hard-fought 2–1 Premier League victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium has continued to generate intense debate following two major officiating decisions that split opinion among fans, pundits, and former players.
The Mirror Sport reported on Monday, December 29, 2025, that the match, which saw Arsenal reclaim top spot in the Premier League table, was heavily overshadowed by disputes over a rejected penalty appeal and a controversial red card call that did not materialise.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher reviewed the key flashpoints from the encounter and firmly backed the match officials, insisting that both contentious decisions were correctly handled under the laws of the game.
Gallagher ruled that Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus was not fouled by Brighton defender Ferdi Kadioglu during a first-half incident that prompted loud appeals from the home crowd.
He explained that the contact between both players was minimal and did not reach the threshold required for a penalty, describing it as normal physical engagement rather than an infringement.
The more heated controversy surrounded Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s collision with striker Viktor Gyokeres during a dangerous breakaway that had Arsenal supporters calling for a red card.
Gallagher agreed with the referee’s decision to issue only a yellow card, stressing that while the challenge was reckless, it did not deny a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
According to the former official, Gyokeres was moving away from the goal rather than directly toward it, which reduced the severity of the offence under existing refereeing guidelines.
This interpretation, however, did little to calm the storm of disagreement that followed the final whistle.
Former Arsenal striker Jay Bothroyd openly challenged Gallagher’s assessment, arguing that the challenge was dangerous and deserved a harsher punishment.
Bothroyd claimed that Verbruggen had lost full control during the incident and made heavy, high-speed contact with Gyokeres, placing the striker at serious risk.
He further compared the decision to similar incidents in recent Premier League matches that resulted in straight red cards, suggesting inconsistency in officiating standards.
Despite the officiating drama, Arsenal maintained their composure on the pitch and delivered a performance that secured all three points.
Captain Martin Ødegaard opened the scoring with a well-taken effort that set the tone for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Brighton’s problems deepened when an unfortunate own goal compounded their deficit and allowed Arsenal to dictate the tempo of the match.
The contest remained nervy until the closing stages, with Brighton pushing for an equaliser and exploiting spaces on the counterattack.
Goalkeeper David Raya produced a crucial late save to preserve Arsenal’s narrow advantage and underline his importance in tight matches.
Gallagher also addressed Arsenal’s late penalty appeal, dismissing it as a routine challenge that did not warrant intervention from the referee or VAR.
Brighton showed moments of attacking threat throughout the game, particularly when Gyokeres broke down the left flank before being halted by Verbruggen, a moment that perfectly illustrated the fine margins separating success and controversy.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s resilience ensured victory, keeping them at the summit of the Premier League table ahead of a looming clash with Aston Villa, who remain firmly in pursuit in an increasingly tense title race.
While the points moved Arsenal forward, the debate surrounding refereeing consistency is unlikely to fade anytime soon.