VAR rejects the goal, but Calafiori guides the Gunners to victory

Riccardo Calafiori's penalty was cancelled by VAR in Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Chelsea, but his movement opened up space for the decisive goal. The Italian, described as “the best left‑back in the Premier League”, made his mark.

The penalty cancelled by VAR

Calafiori thought he had equalised immediately after Morgan Rogers' first goal, pushing the ball over the line from a chaotic corner. However, the referee ruled the goal out for Ezri Konsa's off‑side, a decision confirmed by VAR. The match took place at London’s Emirates Stadium on 6 September 2026.

The former Bologna and Roma player is accustomed to playing as a centre‑back for the Azzurri, but with the Gunners he has been deployed as a left‑back. This conversion has allowed the young Italian to showcase new tactical qualities.

His versatility is also evident in international competitions: in tournaments such as EURO 2024 Calafiori is known for moving forward from the centre of defence, creating chances in attack. This propensity to push forward underpins his impact in London.

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Calafiori’s multifaceted contribution

During the match, Calafiori’s movement drew Chelsea’s defenders away, freeing space for the pass that allowed Kai Havertz to feign a shot and Martin Ødegaard to score the winning goal.

The commentators have described his action “absolutely fantastic”, while Jamie Carragher praised Calafiori calling him “the best left‑back in the League.”

Coach Mikel Arteta showed his approval, celebrating together with Ødegaard and Calafiori the performance that took the Gunners to the final result.