Despite the unusual circumstances, Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season, staging a remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit to secure a share of the points with a second-half rally.
Throughout most of the match, the visiting team struggled, and Chelsea rightfully took the lead in the 15th minute when Cole Palmer successfully converted a penalty. This penalty was awarded due to a handball committed by Saliba when he leaped for an aerial duel with Mykhaylo Mudryk and unintentionally blocked the Ukrainian's header with his outstretched arm.
There's a valid argument to be made that Saliba's arm movement was simply a natural part of his jump, but the penalty was given in accordance with the rules, reigniting the ongoing debate over the modern interpretation of handball.
Arteta, who had received a booking for his protests, was cautious in his comments during his post-game press conference. He did, however, suggest that it was "mechanically impossible" for Saliba not to move his arm in that direction while jumping.
