November 5th 2023.
Newcastle's goal against Arsenal on Saturday night was shrouded in controversy, leaving Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to launch a furious post-match tirade after VAR refused to rule it out. Celebrations were put on hold as the VAR official Andy Madley checked for three potential infringements in the build-up to the goal: Whether or not the ball was out of play, whether there had been a foul on Gabriel by Joelinton, and whether or not Gordon was in an offside position. Ultimately, the goal was allowed to stand as the lack of evidence meant it could not be overturned. Arteta deemed the decision "embarrassing" and "disgraceful".
As the debate over the legality of the goal continues, let's take a look at the five most controversial VAR decisions that have gone against Arsenal since the technology was introduced in the Premier League in the 2019/20 season.
The first incident came in February 2023, when Arsenal were on the wrong end of an enormous error when VAR referee Lee Mason failed to draw all of the necessary lines when determining if Christian Norgaard was offside when he assisted Ivan Toney's equaliser in the 1-1 draw. Arsenal dropped two vital points against the Bees, with PGMOL chief Howard Webb having to contact Arsenal to apologise after the match. Arteta was fuming, saying he would only be satisfied if the two points were given back. Six days later, Mason left the PGMOL by mutual consent and would no longer officiate in the Premier League.
The second incident occurred in September 2022 in a match between Manchester United and Arsenal. Gabriel Martinelli thought he had put the away side ahead, only for VAR to rule it out after Paul Tierney advised Mason that Martin Odegaard had fouled Christian Eriksen in the build-up. Odegaard was adamant that the decision was "very, very soft" and Arteta agreed, but United still claimed all three points with Marcus Rashford's second-half brace.
The third instance was in October 2023 against Chelsea. Referee Chris Kavanagh and VAR Jarred Gillett elected to give Chelsea a penalty after Mykhailo Mudryk's header struck a jumping William Saliba's outstretched arm from close range. Kavanagh initially waved away Chelsea's protests, but he was instructed to head to the monitor to take another look at the incident during the next stoppage of play. Even Chelsea legend John Terry disagreed with the decision.
Wolves was the scene of the fourth incident in February 2021. Wolves were awarded a penalty when David Luiz was adjudged to have brought down Willian Jose when he was through on goal. Referee Craig Pawson immediately brandished a red card to the Brazilian defender, contributing to the 2-1 defeat. Replays showed Jose's trailing foot initiating contact with Luiz on his knee, with the striker then seemingly throwing himself to the ground after kicking the ground with a mis-hit shot. However, VAR were having none of it.
The fifth incident occurred in January 2022 against Manchester City. Granit Xhaka and Bernardo Silva grappled in the box during the New Year's Day clash at the Emirates, only for VAR to intervene and award a penalty. Arsenal were livid and Cesc Fabregas took to Twitter to simply say: "That's never a pen. Terrible decision". The decision was upheld and Rodri scored a stoppage time winner for the runaway leaders. Stuart Attwell, who also elected not to award Arsenal a penalty when Odegaard went down in the box under a challenge from Ederson, left the pitch to a chorus of boos from the home supporters.
The decisions against Arsenal have been infuriating to say the least, and it's clear that Arteta and the team are still yet to get over the disappointment of Saturday night's goal being allowed to stand. Whether or not the goal should have been allowed to stand has been the subject of much debate, but one thing is for sure: these five decisions have had a huge impact on Arsenal's Premier League campaign.
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