Arsenal fell victim to a VAR blunder when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford. The Gunners are now only three points apart from Man City. The Arsenal vs Brentford match in Week 23 of the 2022-2023 Premier League at the Emirates Stadium, Saturday (11/2/2023) was marred by controversy.
Arsenal felt their victory was “robbed” by a VAR blunder. The Gunners had to bite their fingers after Leandro Trossard’s goal (66′) was equalized by Ivan Toney in the 74th minute. Arsenal, through coach Mikel Arteta, felt that Brentford’s goal was marred by two offside incidents.
First, Ethan Pinnock was said to be in an offside position when a free kick was taken by Brentford’s Mathias Jensen. Arteta believed Pinnock was offside because he actively blocked Gabriel Magalhaes’ movements, even though he didn’t try to reach for the ball that led to Ivan Toney.
Secondly, it is believed that Christian Norgaard was offside when chasing a ball headed by Pinnock, to then provide an assist for Toney. Referee Peter Bankes who officiated the Arsenal vs Brentford match finally authorized Ivan Toney’s goal despite consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Arteta was also angry after the Arsenal vs Brentford match. “It’s too late. The goal was awarded and we lost two points,” Arteta said about the referee’s decision.
An explanation of the controversial decision only came on Sunday (12/2/2023), the day after the duel. PGMOL (The Professional Game Match Officials Limited) made an official statement. The body that oversees and appoints professional British referees admits that there was an error in the decision making of the referee in the Arsenal vs Brentford match.
Apart from that, PGMOL also alluded to the Crystal Palace vs Brighton party (1-1). The match was marred by controversy on Pervis Estupinan’s goal being disallowed for offside.
“PGMOL confirms that Referee Chief Howard Webb has contacted Arsenal as well as Brighton & Hove Albion and explained significant errors in the VAR process in the Premier League match in question. Both incidents, which occurred due to human error and related to an offside analysis of the situation, are currently being reviewed in depth by PGMOL,” the PGMOL said in a statement.
Lee Mason, the referee in charge of VAR, in the Arsenal vs Brentford match did check for potential offside and Ethan Pinock’s violations near Gabriel Magalhaes. The VAR has reviewed the situation and deemed there is no problem.
However, Lee Mason “forgot” to do a deeper look into the position of Christian Norgaard who provided the assist for Ivan Toney. “VAR is looking to see if there was an offside and whether Ethan Pinnock has hindered Gabriel in the build-up process. He saw a possible foul and decided there was none, because of that referee Peter Bankes didn’t make a clear and obvious mistake,” said Chris Foy, PGMOL representative.
“However, towards the goal, Christian Norgaard, whose cross was poked in by Toney, was in an offside position. Actually VAR doesn’t fully investigate the offside line. The line, simply put, is not drawn. It is considered a human error. If the line is drawn, the goal will be disallowed for offside,” said Chris Foy.
The VAR blunder cost Arsenal dearly. Instead of being eight points away from Man City, now the Gunners find their rival getting closer to the top. Arsenal, who now lead the Premier League standings with 51 points, are only 3 points apart from Man City, who won 3-1 over Aston Villa. The Premier League championship competition will be even more exciting because Arsenal are scheduled to meet Man City in the middle of this week, namely Thursday (16/2/2023).
