Arsenal handed 'obvious' penalty verdict as VAR decision explained after bizarre Everton move

Arsenal have been handed a clear verdict after VAR intervened with a penalty later awarded for handball (Image: (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images))

Arsenal have been handed a clear verdict after Jake O'Brien was penalised for a handball with Viktor Gyokeres converting the subsequent penalty. The Toffees defender bizarrely extended his arms from a Declan Rice corner with the ball hitting the top of his hand.

Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith said it was the most "obvious" decision for handball as you're likely to see. O'Brien and Gyokeres were involved in a controversial incident prior to the penalty after he appeared to push the Swede in the back.

VAR checked for a potential spot-kick but stuck with the on-field decision from referee Sam Barrott. Those at Stockley Park did not agree with the call of goal-kick, however.

Replays clearly showed it struck O'Brien's hand with Barrott reviewing the incident and then awarding a penalty.

An update explaining the decision from the Premier League Match Centre read: "#EVEARS – 24’ VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no penalty to Arsenal.

"Referee announcement: "After review, Everton No.15 commits a handball offence. My final decision will be penalty kick."

Martin Odegaard held the ball while Barrott got all Everton players out of the box and Jordan Pickford back on his goal line. Vitalii Mykolenko was booked during that for his protests.

Bukayo Saka usually takes penalties for Arsenal but the club captain handed the ball to Gyokeres. Despite not scoring in a number of weeks, with injury playing a role in that, he smashed the ball home with confidence.

Mikel Arteta's side had made a laboured start to proceedings with Everton controlling the early stages.

(Image: (Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock))

The penalty changed matters, however, with Arsenal going on to dominate possession for the remainder of the first half.

Three points have to be the priority for Arteta and Co. after Manchester City went top of the Premier League table earlier in the day with a 3-0 victory over West Ham United.

Aston Villa follow behind those two teams in third but can reduce the gap at the summit on Sunday afternoon when they face Manchester United.

Unai Emery's side took a huge step towards making themselves title contenders after beating Arsenal earlier this month. They have already beaten Pep Guardiola's side this season.

Arsenal will be out for revenge on Villa at Emirates Stadium when the two teams face off again between Christmas and New Year.