Leandro Trossard’s second-half goal gave the Premier League leaders the lead, but Ivan Toney equalised with a close-range header, and a VAR review disallowed it despite two instances of offside.
After determining whether Ethan Pinnock had obstructed Gabriel from Mathias Jensen’s free kick while offside, the VAR team, led by Lee Mason, decided against getting involved.
Mason and his officials then made the cross for Toney without noticing that Christian Norgaard was offside, and it was later discovered that no lines had even been drawn to look for a potential offside.
As a result of the error, which PGMOL admitted on Sunday, Arsenal was furious because they lost the potential to extend their lead to eight points. This is not the first time this season that a contentious VAR decision has caused them to lose points. In actuality, it has occurred four times in a row.
Martinelli’s goal at Old Trafford was disallowed.
WHAT HAPPENED: With 12 minutes remaining in Arsenal’s Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Martin Odegaard assists in removing Christian Eriksen from the area just inside the Arsenal half. This allows the Gunners to move the ball forward to Gabriel Martinelli, who coolly finishes past David de Gea.
Following a VAR review, the decision to overturn Odegaard’s light challenge on Eriksen was made by referee Paul Tierney after consulting the pitchside monitor. As a result, Arsenal loses 3-1 and concedes Antony’s goal.
The goal should have stood, according to the PGMOL, which listed the judgement as one of six wrong VAR interventions in the first half of the Premier League season in December.
WHAT WAS SAID: At the time, Arteta told Sky Sports that there was a “lack of consistency.” What is’ soft’? Aston Villa scored last week after Aaron Ramsdale was fouled, but the foul was soft and not called. Then Bukayo [Saka, as played by Tyrone Mings] receives a soft penalty that is not a penalty. This is wrong now.
The threshold is low because it’s a huge game, so there were some violent tackles but no yellow cards. It’s quite challenging to accept.
According to me, it’s never a foul,” Odegaard continued to Sky Sports. “The referee notices it and continues play. It’s a gentle challenge, therefore for VAR to intervene, it must be evident and clear. That has been repeated numerous times. It’s irritating because you can always make something look worse on video even though, in my opinion, that wasn’t a foul.
