Why Gabriel Martinelli’s FA Cup goal vs Man United was still given as offside despite touch from Harry Maguire

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Gabriel Martinelli thought he had put Arsenal 1-0 up in the FA Cup clash against Manchester United.

The Brazil international slotted beyond Altay Bayindir in the 18th minute inside the Emirates Stadium – but saw his effort chalked off after he was deemed to be offside.

Gabriel Martinelli was visibly furious at the decision from Andy Madley – arguing that it was Harry Maguire who got the last touch before the ball actually reached him.

Some may feel the Arsenal No.11 has a point – but the South American’s goal was rightly ruled out due to an interesting rule.

Harry Maguire needed to take an intentional touch for Gabriel Martinelli goal to stand

The rulebook states that an opposition player has to make a deliberate action for a goal like this to stand.

Seeing as the pass from Gabriel Jesus simply hit Maguire on the ankle and ricocheted into the path of Martinelli, who once failed a trial at Manchester United, the Brazilian’s status as offside stands.

Had the Manchester United No.5 been in control of the ball and opted to pass back to Bayindir – only for Martinelli to cut it out and score – then the fact he was stood in an offside position would have been irrelevant.

Law 11 of the FA rulebook states: “A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately played* the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not considered to have gained an advantage, unless it was a deliberate save by any opponent. 

“*‘Deliberate play’ (excluding deliberate handball) is when a player has control of the ball with the possibility of:

• passing the ball to a team-mate;
• gaining possession of the ball; or
• clearing the ball (e.g. by kicking or heading it)

“If the pass, attempt to gain possession or clearance by the player in control of the ball is inaccurate or unsuccessful, this does not negate the fact that the player ‘deliberately played’ the ball.”

Arsenal surely need a new attacker after Gabriel Jesus injury vs Manchester United

After an awkward fall, Jesus was unfortunately stretchered off during the opening 45 minutes.

It comes after Mikel Arteta already lost Bukayo Saka to injury during the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace in December.

With Liverpool six points ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League – the Reds also have a game in hand – the Gunners could certainly use some extra firepower in attack during the winter transfer window.