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 Gunners broke the deadlock at the Emirates Stadium in the 66th minute through January signing Leandro Trossard but their lead was short-lived as 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.
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: VAR Lee Mason forgets to draw offside lines during Brentford's controversial goal vs Arsenal
The statement will be little consolation to Mikel Arteta, who called out the officiating after the full-time whistle. “I just looked back and it is offside,” Arteta said after the match.
“Have they explained why it wasn’t allowed? No. It is frustrating but they will probably give an explanation later in the week. Today we haven’t got one.
“You have to apply certain principles in defending and you do that by sticking to the rules. Suddenly you change the rules and then you have to change your principles. So tell us before so then you don’t hold the [defensive] line that high. Because you’re always going to have an advantage if you get blocked. You cannot block if you are offside.”
The result leaves the Gunners six points clear at the top of the table, although second-placed Manchester City will play Aston Villa later today before Pep Guardiola's men travel to north London on Wednesday to take on the league leaders at the Emirates.
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