Paul Merson criticized the “criminal” star Gabriel Martinelli After Arsenal were denied a dramatic winner in their 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday.

The Gunners fell behind 1-0 at Craven Cottage – and after William Saliba leveled things up – Bukayo Saka had a goal ruled out in the 89th minute.

VAR decided to overturn it because Martinelli was judged slightly offside in the build-up, which frustrated Merson.

The Arsenal legend and football expert said Aerial sports: ‘He’s offside, but in football terms it’s criminal on Martinelli’s part.

“You can’t be offside. You look down the line. He’s got pace, he’s electric, so he’s not someone who’s trying to gain a yard and just play on the edge.

“I would be surprised if he wasn’t at the end of a conversation in the dressing room with the manager, because he even knows it. Afterwards you could see it in his face, he knows you can’t do that.

“One thing when you look this way: don’t be offside. It’s that simple.

Asked what the 1-1 draw could mean for Arsenal in their Premier League title race with Liverpool, Merson added: “It’s not a good result.

“It’s two points lost. They just managed a little run and it was a nightmare at the end with the goal disallowed.

“They had to win this game. Liverpool advantage. Arsenal could have gone four (points behind Liverpool) and that would have been a huge advantage for them.

“Now Liverpool have a game in hand and it’s a bad result. It’s not an easy place to go, but if you want to win Premier League titles you have to win at Craven Cottage.

Arsenal, who now sit six points behind Liverpool, return to action on Wednesday with a Champions League home clash against Monaco.

Their next high-profile match is on Saturday when they host Sean Dyche’s Everton at the Emirates.

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