Arsenal told Tottenham goal should have been disallowed as Premier League explain decision
Arsenal’s second goal against Spurs was a controversial one with Eberechi Eze’s strike being checked by VAR
17:46, 23 Nov 2025
Eberechi Eze’s goal for Arsenal against Spurs was checked by VAR(Image: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Les Ferdinand was left aghast by the decision not to disallow Arsenal’s second goal against Tottenham Hotspur. Ebere Eze doubled the Gunners’ lead on the stroke of half-time after dancing through the Spurs defence before firing beyond Guglielmo Vicario.
The England international drilled home despite the challenge from two Spurs defenders but there were complaints over whether the goal should have stood. Bukayo Saka, Martin Zubimendi and Leandro Trossard were all in an offside position and Ferdinand was left confused by the decision for the goal to stand as he raised complaints over Vicario’s sight being obstructed by the trio.
The rule has come under immense spotlight in recent weeks after Virgil van Dijk’s header against Manchester City was ruled out due to Andy Robertson’s role in standing in front of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
This weekend, Liverpool were left equally aggrieved when Murillo’s goal was allowed to stand despite Nottingham Forest having a player in an offside position and in front of Alisson Becker.
The Premier League clarified the decision around he goal where they revealed that the VAR checked it but felt that there was no infringement on the Italian.
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The X post read: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that there were no Arsenal players in the line of vision of the goalkeeper, and they made no movement to impact an opponent while in an offside position.”
Ferdinand argued: “I don’t understand. I need someone to explain to me how this doesn’t affect the goalkeeper’s sight.
“I don’t understand. I don’t understand how that’s not looked at and seen that these players are blocking the goalkeeper’s view of it. I really don’t.”
Some 45 seconds after the restart, it went from bad to worse for Thomas Frank’s side after Eze got his second of the evening.
The 27-year-old turned down a move to Spurs in order to join Arsenal and his decision came back to haunt Spurs.
He found himself in space in the 18-yard box and curled into the bottom corner to extend the Gunners’ lead.
After City failed to beat Newcastle United, and return to second in the Premier League table, a win over Spurs would see them move six points clear at the summit of English football.
Spurs had kept their North London rivals at bay for 36 minutes but their stubborn rearguard was broken when Trossard squeezed the ball home.
Five minutes later, it was two for Mikel Arteta’s side when Eze drilled home. Gary Neville slammed both the defensive display and general game plan from Frank’s side as they failed to lay a glove on their rivals, registering no shots on goal in the first half.
The former Manchester United defender said: “It’s mayhem – North London delight for Arsenal! I’m happy for them, they deserve it. And so do Tottenham for what they’ve done… those white shirts are like mannequins.
“To me, that’s game over unless Thomas Frank does something remarkable.”
There was a glimmer of hope for Spurs when Richarlison reduced the arrears. The Brazilian found the back of the net with their first shot of the game when he spotted David Raya off the line, lifting the ball over the Spaniard from 30 yards out.
