Alan Shearer and Theo Walcott disagree on major Arsenal VAR moment vs Sunderland

Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Theo Walcott disagree about an incident that could have had a big impact in Arsenal’s Premier League game against Sunderland.

The Gunners were forced to settle for a point in the 2-2 draw against the newly promoted side at the Stadium of Light.

Early in the game, Arsenal’s Mikel Merino was caught by Black Cats’ defender Dan Ballard’s arm in the penalty area. It led to calls that the Gunners should have been awarded a spot kick.

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The incident was checked by VAR but the decision was not overturned despite Merino needing lengthy treatment.

The moment has now caused a disagreement in the Match of the Day studio. Former Arsenal man Walcott believes that a penalty should have been given.

“I look at it a little bit differently to be honest. It’s not clear and obvious, however, it’s early in the game, it’s seven minutes into the game and Dan Ballard, of course, wants to put his mark on the game,” he said.

“Mikel Arteta spoke about being disruptive, and he’s definitely, in my opinion, he’s disruptive and there’s a slight movement from the elbow to Merino’s cheekbone.

“Me and Al definitely don’t agree with it, however, I do feel like his elbow was in quite a high condition, shall we call it, and it was very disruptive.”

Like Walcott mentioned, former Newcastle man Shearer strongly disagreed with his fellow pundit, labelling the incident as ‘brilliant defending'.

“I think as a defender, if he allows that forward to get across him, his manager goes absolutely berserk at him,” he said. “That’s his space and he cannot allow any forward to get across him.

“So he then settles himself and then he goes for the header. You can’t jump without doing that (raising his arms) for a header, and I don’t think there’s anything deliberate there at all, I think it’s more brilliant defending than anything else.”

Ballard went on to have more of an impact on the game. The defender scored the opening goal, before second half strikes from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard turned the match around for Arsenal.

But Brian Brobbey equalised for Sunderland in the 94th minute. Arsenal were denied an even later winner when Ballard blocked Merino’s shot.

Despite the disappointment of the late equaliser, Arsenal remain at the top of the Premier League table, six points clear of second placed Chelsea ahead of Sunday's games.