Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has spoken out about the position of the Arsenal wall for Manchester United’s first-half opener at Old Trafford.
Manchester United and Arsenal each picked up a Premier League point on Sunday evening after playing out a 1-1 draw at the Theatre of Dreams.
The Red Devils stunned the Gunners in injury time in the first half after Bruno Fernandes broke the deadlock with a sensational free-kick at Old Trafford.
Arsenal star Leandro Trossard brought down Alejandro Garnacho in a reckless challenge and United were awarded the free-kick ahead of half-time.
Bruno Fernandes stepped up and fired his effort up and over the wall and David Raya was unable to deny the 30-year-old United and Portugal star from scoring.
Declan Rice came to Arsenal’s rescue in the second half and the Gunners midfielder’s stunning curling effort beat United No 1 Andre Onana and ensured a point for his side.
Dermot Gallagher’s stance on controversial free-kick in Man Utd vs Arsenal
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher was asked if the Arsenal wall was too far out before Bruno Fernandes scored for Manchester United on Sunday.
The law from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) is that the wall should be ‘at least 9.15m (10yds) from the ball […]’ when a free-kick is taken.
However, IFAB Law 13.2 added that the aforementioned measurement for the wall is in place ‘unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts.’
It is believed that the Arsenal wall in the 1-1 draw against United was 11.2 yards, which exceeds the 10-yard distance outlined in IFAB’s law.
Gallagher pointed out that IFAB Law 13.2 only suggests a “minimum of 10 yards” and it doesn’t mean referee Anthony Taylor couldn’t move it further out.
“The referee felt it was 10 yards and in fairness to him, the law says [a] minimum of 10 yards. It doesn’t say they can’t go back 11,” he said.
“He may have factored in that when a free-kick is taken, the wall moves forward anyhow so by the time the free-kick is taken, it’s closer to 10.
“I’m not sure the calibration [of the measurement] is right anyhow, but Anthony Taylor will have his system of measuring 10 yards.
“The pitch is cut in six-yard sections and looking at the pictures, it doesn’t look to be much off 10 yards when you see it.
“There are guides for referees to help them.”
Jamie Redknapp reacted to Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick for Man Utd vs Arsenal
Jamie Redknapp was on punditry for Sky Sports and the former Liverpool star praised Fernandes for his technique, but he was critical of David Raya’s positioning.
“It’s a bit like [Didier] Drogba and [Cristiano] Ronaldo’s technique,” he said at half-time.
“You can have a look at the keeper’s positioning. I think what you’re trying to do is create a topspin. That gets the extra power. And that is moving so fast.
“And he’s still… the goalkeeper is perhaps a yard away. Once that ball’s gone past him, look, he’s miles away from it still.”
United are 14th in the Premier League table after their 1-1 draw with Arsenal and the Red Devils are level on points with 13th-place Tottenham.
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