A report has found that Arsenal should not have had their opening goal disallowed against Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this season. Martin Odegaard was deemed to have fouled Christian Eriksen in the build-up to Gabriel Martinelli's goal with VAR advising referee Paul Tierney to review the incident, resulting in a free-kick being awarded to United.
Mikel Arteta questioned the referee and VAR's decision to rule out Martinelli's opener with Arsenal going on to lose the game 3-1 and costing them a crucial three points. And it has now been revealed that VAR were mistaken in ruling out the goal.
Following heavy criticism towards Premier League referees and VAR, Howard Webb has now taken over as PGMOL's chief refereeing officer and has been charged with improving standards of officiating both on the pitch and in the VAR room.
READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe's 63-hour message to William Saliba hands Arsenal boost ahead of West Ham
Lee Mason was in charge of VAR for the match at Old Trafford earlier this season, which remains the Gunners' only defeat in the Premier League this season. Arsenal still lead the way at the top of the table with reigning champions Manchester City sitting five points behind them in second, but it seems the Gunners may have had a key decision go against them which eventually cost them three points.
According to ESPN, Premier League referees made six incorrect VAR interventions in the first part of the season before the break for the World Cup which includes Arsenal's disallowed goal against United. There is currently an independent panel, made up of three former players and one representative for both the Premier League and PGMOL, that assesses all key match incidents across a weekend of action and reports back to clubs on a Thursday indicating where mistakes have been made by officials.
A dedicated VAR coach has been appointed to work with the two full-time video referees and those who rotate into Stockley Park following Webb's introduction as PGMOL chief refereeing officer. An independent panel has reported that six of the 48 overturns this season were incorrect.
It's not just Arsenal that have been impacted by mistakes from officials, with there being several more missed interventions from VAR. The ESPN report also revealed that two West Ham goals should have been disallowed for handball in a 3-1 win at home to Fulham.
Webb is set to visit all Premier League clubs in the new year to meet key personnel and talk about what is expected from referees as he aims to improve the quality of refereeing in the Premier League. This meeting will include a review of the implementation of VAR in the Premier League, and managing expectations.
A decision is yet to be taken on using semi-automated VAR next season, as used by FIFA in the World Cup and UEFA in the Champions League. The report adds that the Premier League, along with Ligue 1 and the MLS, have made an application to football's lawmakers, the IFAB, to trial temporary concussions subs from next season.
READ NEXT:
Kylian Mbappe's 63-hour message to William Saliba hands Arsenal boost ahead of West Ham
Gabriel Martinelli 'close' to signing new Arsenal contract triggers stunning Bukayo Saka theory
The three things that must happen when Arsenal face West Ham in Premier League return
Arsenal to avoid naming Mykhaylo Mudryk in Premier League squad if £40m transfer is completed
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
