Arsenal given ‘unquestionable’ offside verdict after Chelsea goal scrutinised amid Enzo moment

Our Seeing Red podcast hosts Tom Canton and John Cross discuss the 1-1 draw between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge and focus on the potential for Enzo Fernandez to potentially cost the Blues their opening goal of the clash.

Arsenal were frustrated by Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, but there was no end of controversy as Mikel Arteta again came into focus. Three big matches ended with two wins and a draw, and despite the unbeaten record extending to 17 matches, there was still a sour taste in the mouth for many come full-time.

However, one of the talking points which was brought into focus after the game, more so than during, was Trevor Chalobah’s goal and the involvement of Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine was standing in an offside position when the defender made contact with the ball, and Cristhian Mosquera’s position has led to arguments that he was impacted by the midfielder making movements toward the ball.

Our ‘Seeing Red’ podcast hosts Tom Canton and John Cross got stuck into the details of the decision with Crossie reaching out to his contacts at the PGMOL to find out what had happened and whether it had been checked.

“I did check first thing this morning just to sort of say, ‘Was that checked?’ and I can absolutely guarantee that that was checked, and it doesn’t always have to flash up on the screen, but those things are looked at,” he said.

“I checked with someone in the VAR control room and it was checked and it was cleared so it was cleared from the perspective that basic Fernandez, they felt, did not interfere with Mosquera’s ability to play the ball or clear it.”

That was the official line from the PGMOL, but what did our podcast hosts think of the decision which gave Chelsea a surprise lead at the time having gone down to ten men before the break?

Cross said: ” If he was on top of him and completely blocked him off then then you’re getting into that sphere. I’m a little bit 50-50 on it because I don’t want to get into the realms of always defending that position because I think it’s so obvious that Arsenal benefited from when Eze scored through a crowd of players deemed not interfering with Vicario so you have to challenge and balance everything on its own rights.

“I think it would have been unquestionably offside if Mosquera could have played the ball easily, and was then blocked off by Fernández and I don’t know what you thought, Tom, that basically I’m not sure that that the case entirely.”

While seeing some evidence that the argument for the goal to be ruled out was potentially present, ultimately, Canton too agreed that the right decision was made.

“I think there is an argument for there to be a potential offside there, however, I think Mosquera doesn’t do enough in that situation for me to go, ‘Yeah he’s clearly being impeded, he’s more focused on Enzo he’s kind of got him arms round him and he’s not looking towards the ball coming in to go and clear it.”

Canton added: “I think the right decision was given and I always try and put my shoe on the other foot and say, ‘If that was an Arsenal goal that was being ruled out for that I’d feel incredibly hard done by.'”

You can listen to the full ‘Seeing Red’ weekly episode wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the show on our YouTube channel. Episodes release every Monday with breakdowns, analysis, discussion, debate and a look ahead to the next fixtures with insight from our reporters at the games.