Mikel Arteta wants his two points back after VAR error
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has very clearly expressed his disappointment with an official apology from the referee’s body PGMOL after VAR wrongfully allowed Brentford’s equalizer to stand in Saturday’s 1-1 draw, stating “I will only be satisfied if they give us the two points back.”
Ivan Toney’s 74th-minute header was not checked properly by VAR operator Lee Mason. As per rule 12 of the IFAB VAR laws, VAR operators check for offside every goal. Christian Norgaard was offside when he delivered the cross that Toney headed home, however, Mason didn’t check for offside and the goal stood. The referee’s body, PGMOL, called it a “human error.”
Arteta was unsurprisingly unimpressed by the decision, especially as it cost his side two points at a time when every point is crucial. Arsenal are now only three points ahead of second-place Man City.
The Arsenal manager told a news conference on Tuesday:
“We ended the game after analysing all the evidence that we’ve had with the images with a huge anger and disappointment because that wasn’t a human error, that was a big not conceiving and understanding your job and that’s not acceptable, I’m sorry,” Arteta said, via ESPN.
“That costs Arsenal two points that’s not going to be restored. We’re going to have to find those two points somewhere in the league.
“At the same time we appreciate the apology and the explanations and we got a lot of sympathy from colleagues in the industry and in football who say that we cannot play the game with the integrity like we do. That’s it. We have to move on.
“That has certainly made the players, staff and our fans stronger and given them more desire to pass this hurdle that they put on us. So we’re ready for it.”
VIA ESPN
When asked if he was happy with PGMOL’s official explanation of human error, he said:
“I will only be satisfied if they give us the two points back which is not going to be the case,” Arteta said, via ESPN.
“I appreciate and I think they were really sincere, open and genuine apologies and explanations, which is really good.
“But it doesn’t take the fact that we have two less points than we should have on the table. When I see the reaction for example that Howard Webb had, the PGMOL had, the Premier League had and how genuine it was. That anger.
“They want to do the best they can and they understand everything that is at stake. I think at the end it will help and hopefully we can use that to make the game better and have more integrity on it, better professionals and really pay attention to details that matter because at the end of the day it has a significant output on results.”
VIA ESPN
Issues with VAR?
The VAR officials had a terrible weekend. Official John Brooks incorrectly disallowed Brighton’s opening goal against Crystal Palace after they drew the offside line from the wrong player, and had to apologize to the club. Furthermore, they didn’t give Chelsea a clear pen after Soucek handled the ball in the box. The head of PGMOL, Howard Webb, called a referee meeting on Tuesday to discuss the mistakes.
PGMOL put out an official statement on the meeting.
“A constructive meeting was held at Stockley Park today, led by Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb, to thoroughly review officiating errors in Premier League matches last weekend.
“There was a focus on error prevention and a reinforcement of best practice process with the aim of achieving accurate outcomes in an efficient manner going forward.
“We accept mistakes were made and we acted accordingly by calling a meeting and changing match official appointments where appropriate, however, we are encouraged by the way our officials have responded and are confident they will take the learnings forward, always with the aim of delivering high officiating standards for the benefit of the game.”
VIA The Athletic
Both Mason and Brooks have been taken off VAR duty for the next gameweek.
Mason’s error further contributed to Arsenal’s run of poor form. After starting the season strongly. they have only won two out of the last five games. Arteta’s side welcome Man City on Wednesday in a six-pointer that could decide the title. It is guaranteed to be explosive.
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