Gary Neville left perplexed by Arsenal's disallowed goal against Everton as VAR deems Eddie Nketiah offside in the build-up

Gary Neville has said he was ‘confused’ about why Arsenal saw a first-half goal against Everton ruled out for offside on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners thought they had taken the lead in the 19th minute at Goodison Park, when Eddie Nketiah touched the ball to Fabio Vieira who set up Gabriel Martinelli for a curling right-footed finish into the bottom-right of Jordan Pickford’s goal.

But following a VAR check, it was ruled out, as Nketiah was judged to have strayed offside in the build-up phase, before making the pass that led to the goal – although the ball looks to have taken a nick off Everton’s Beto.

On commentary, Neville told Sky Sports: ‘That’s weird. Is there no better angle than that? Even I’m a little confused, he looked like he was well behind.’

At half-time, the studio pundits added their opinions on the call. Karen Carney said: ‘I think that’s why everyone’s confused, it’s offside. The rule’s the rule. This is the rule. They’re saying he didn’t mean to do it, so Nketiah is deemed offside.’

Gabriel Martinelli thought he had put Arsenal in front, but it was ruled out due to an offside

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville said he was ‘confused’ by the decision of the officials

Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink added: ‘I think Beto wants to block the ball, he’s a little bit lucky there. Letter of the law, offside is offside. We all see what he’s trying to do, he’s trying to block the pass. He gets the ball on the shin and that’s why it’s going in that direction.’

After the disallowed goal, the first-half remained scoreless at Goodison Park.

More to follow…