Fans were perplexed after Gabriel Martinelli’s goal against Everton was disallowed for offside in the build-up.

The Brazilian thought he had scored for Arsenal at Goodison Park, but the goal was ruled off.

Martinelli had perfectly timed his run to slip in behind Ashley Young and finish past Jordan Pickford, but a VAR check determined that Eddie Nketiah had come back from an offside position.

Gary Neville, co-commentator for Sky Sports, was perplexed and unclear whether there were any better perspectives available to make the judgement, saying, “it looks to me like a little bit of guesswork.”

Even worse was the fact that the ball played by Gabriel had bounced off Everton striker Beto, giving the impression that it didn’t matter if Nketiah was marginally offside.

“Hold on, what’s the rule?” one fan inquired. Gabriel wasn’t even attempting to make an attacking pass. “How is that illegal?”

“Gabriel is playing a sidewards pass, it cannons off an Everton player towards the Arsenal man, and they deem it OFFSIDE,” a second said.

“I don’t understand the offside rule anymore,” said a third. When Arsenal plays, if the ball comes off the opposition player last, it is not off.”

“Thought it came off Beto,” a fourth added. I’m not sure why that was ruled an offside.”

A fifth user said, “I feel like Arsenal just had a goal ruled out for offside for a backwards pass in their own half.”

“Arsenal deserve some offside shenanigans against them after the Garnacho call the other week,” a sixth said, “but this very much looks onside.”

To make matters worse for Arsenal, Martinelli suffered an injury and had to be replaced by Leandro Trossard.

PGMOL later stated that Beto’s attempt to win the ball was not considered purposeful, and hence the play did not reset.