Here is your morning Arsenal digest on Monday, February 13.
VAR blunder
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have admitted that VAR made two "significant errors" during this weekend's Premier League action, including Brentford's equaliser against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
The north London outfit broke the deadlock at the Emirates Stadium in the 66th minute through Belgian attacker Leandro Trossard but their lead was short-lived as Bees frontman Ivan Toney equalised from close range just eight minutes later. However, it emerged on Saturday evening that VAR Lee Mason had forgotten to draw the relevant offside lines in the build-up to the goal, with midfielder Christian Norgaard, who assisted Toney, actually offside.
READ MORE: VAR Lee Mason forgets to draw offside lines during Brentford's controversial goal vs Arsenal
Now, the PGMOL have released a statement which reads: “PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday.”
Read more here.
Lee Mason claim
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has claimed that Lee Mason deserves to be sacked after the referee's mistake during Arsenal's draw against Brentford.
Mason was the VAR during the match, failing to disallow Ivan Toney's equaliser despite Christian Norgaard, who assisted the goal, being offside in the build-up. Now, Hackett, who was a referee in the English top-flight for almost two decades has urged new PGMOL chief Howard Webb to axe Mason. He told the Mirror : “Howard Webb is now in charge of the PGMOL. One of the first things he should do is dismiss permanent VAR operator Lee Mason.
“This weekend, Mason lets another referee down by not disallowing the Brentford goal for offside. These are decisions that VAR should get right.”
Xhaka's message
Arsenal central midfielder Granit Xhaka has urged supporters to continue to get behind the team following Saturday's frustrating 1-1 draw against Brentford.
After the full-time whistle, Xhaka took to social media to send a message to the Gunners fans, calling them a vital part of the team. His Instagram post read: "Frustrating afternoon. We’ll analyse it, learn from it and move on.
"Stick with us - you’re all such a vital part of this team (heart emoji) #GX34 #arsenal."
Read the full story here.
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