Arsenal learn why Brighton were awarded controversial spot-kick with referee and VAR audio of decision released

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was left baffled by the decision to award Brighton a spot-kick during the 1-1 draw between the two sides at Emirates Stadium. William Saliba was controversially penalised after he tried to nod the ball away, but connected with Joao Pedro in the process. However, after the audio of VAR and the referee was released on Wednesday, it became clear why the Seagulls were given a penalty.

Backing the on-field referee and the VAR's call, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Howard Webb said on Match Officials Mic'd Up: "I can't think of something like this, that doesn't mean it's wrong. It means it's unusual. What you see in this situation is two players going towards a ball in the air. Pedro flicks it up, he and Saliba go towards the ball and Pedro heads it onto Saliba. Saliba doesn't head it.

"Saliba has the ball flicked onto his head and then he goes into the head of Pedro. He gets there late on Pedro, who goes down. It's a late contact by someone who hasn't played the ball himself. The ball has touched him, but he's not played it. And Pedro goes down. When you break it down in that way, it's a foul. I know it has split opinion but I've heard a lot of people see it in that way, it's a late contact by a player who has failed to play the ball and has made contact with the player in the penalty area."

Further explaining his stance, Webb added: "If he heads the ball first at that loose ball and there's a collision, I have no issue with that and then there's a collision. That's not what happened. Pedro gets there first and heads it onto Saliba. Saliba goes into Pedro, the ball brushes his head, but he then goes into Pedro['s path]. That touch on the ball doesn't negate the possible award of a penalty. We've seen other examples where the ball may touch a player but there's still heavy contact on the follow through and it's a penalty.

"If a player cleanly plays the ball away or heads the ball away, you're looking at something different. That's not what happens here. Pedro heads the ball onto Saliba, who goes into Pedro and takes him down. For that reason, this is a very supportable penalty kick."

Right after the foul, on-field referee Anthony Taylor first said on his microphone: "He's headed his head. Penalty is the on-field decision."

VAR Darren England then said: "Checking the on-field decision of penalty." A second later, he added: "Clear. Clear penalty. Head on head."

Six seconds later, after checking if a foul was committed on Arsenal's Gabriel in the build-up, England concluded: "Confirming the on-field decision of penalty. Check complete."

The north London side will be back in action this Sunday as they take on Manchester United in a blockbuster third-round FA Cup clash at Emirates Stadium.