rewrite this title Why Mikel Merino’s ‘offside’ goal for Arsenal vs PSV was allowed to stand

Arsenal romped to a 7-1 first-leg win over PSV Eindhoven in the last 16 of the Champions League, virtually sealing their passage to the quarter-finals in the process.

The Gunners were 3-1 up at the break, racing into a three-goal lead thanks to Jurrien Timber’s header and strikes from Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino.

Noa Lang’s penalty threatened to spark a PSV comeback but only briefly, as Arsenal came firing out of the blocks in the second half to put the tie well beyond their Dutch opponents.

Goals from Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard put the tie well beyond the hosts within three minutes of the restart, before Arsenal’s captain bagged a second and set up Riccardo Calafiori to slot home a seventh for Mikel Arteta’s ruthless side.

While lacking in competitiveness, it was a game full of incident, and the most contentious talking point came following Arsenal’s third goal of the night, which was subject to a lengthy VAR check.

Amid some comical PSV defending, Mikel Merino was gifted an opportunity to stretch Arsenal’s lead after the ball broke to him in the penalty area, taking it with ease.

But the goal was in doubt for around four minutes, as the VAR officials checked for a possible offside against the Spaniard in the build-up.

The ball was played in Merino’s direction by Jurrien Timber, but was blocked by PSV defender Ryan Flamingo before it could reach Arsenal’s makeshift striker, who was in an offside position when the ball was played.

Despite this, play continued, and it was Flamingo who gifted Merino a free shot at goal after losing his footing in the box.

But the decision to allow the goal caused some controversy, with pundits Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott disagreeing with the decision.

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg attempted to explain why the goal was given, which came through a subjective call from the VAR team.

Speaking on Amazon Prime Video’s live coverage, he said: “It’s a very subjective call. When the ball’s actually played, we all know Merino’s in an offside position. Does the defender deliberately play the ball, or does he block the ball?

“I agree with Wayne that he blocks the ball, and therefore, if he blocks the ball, it’s not in a controlled manner, and therefore, it should have been given as an offside.

“[The VAR] believes that he’s deliberately played the ball by that action of sliding to block the ball. He believes that’s a deliberate play, and therefore, that’s why they’ve given the goal, but I don’t agree with it.”

Arsenal welcome PSV to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday 12th March for the second leg, with either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid awaiting in the quarter-finals.

The Champions League holders will take a slender lead to the Metropolitano Stadium, with Brahim Diaz’s winner handing Carlo Ancelotti’s side a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.