'Criminal!' - Gabriel Martinelli blasted after Bukayo Saka's late goal is ruled out as Arsenal striker warned he faces Mikel Arteta's wrath

The Brazilian winger appeared to have set up a Bukayo Saka winner in the dying moments at Craven Cottage but VAR ruled he had drifted unnecessarily into an offside in the build-up. Merson slammed the winger for not staying onside and needlessly costing the Gunners a vital victory in the title race. The Gunners squandered the chance to move within four points of leaders Liverpool after Raul Jimenez had put the hosts ahead before William Saliba prodded home from close range to equalise. Had Martinelli not found himself offside, Arsenal would have stolen a deserved victory at the death.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said: "He is offside and, in football terms, it is criminal what Martinelli has done. I can’t express enough how you just cannot be offside when you’re looking along the line.

"He has got pace, he's electric so he's not someone who has got to try and nick a yard and play right on the edge. He can give someone a yard or two. I'll be surprised if he isn’t on the end of one in the dressing room when he gets in by the manager. He even knows. You could see it on his face after, he knew you can't do that.

"You cannot be offside when you look along that line. That is the one thing you cannot do. Do not be offside, it is as simple as that.”

Martinelli's mistake has cost Arsenal massively in their quest to win their first Premier League title in 21 years and means that Liverpool can extend their lead at the top to nine points should they win their game-in-hand against Everton - postponed after storms on Saturday. The blame cannot solely rest on Martinelli's shoulders, however, with Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey both missing huge chances to take all three points and Jakub Kiwior poor for Fulham's goal - a quick breakaway and one of their only two shots-on-target of the game.

The Gunners have a chance to strengthen their position in the Champions League top eight and move closer to securing automatic qualification to the round of 16 with a win over Monaco on Wednesday. Mikel Arteta's side then will look to bounce back in the Premier League against Everton on Saturday, with one eye on Liverpool's own game against Fulham at Anfield.