Premier League admit VAR made a mistake during Arsenal’s win vs Aston Villa
Arsenal have come through their first three Premier League games with maximum points.
It has been the perfect start to their title defence.
Though they’ve been fairly comfortable in all of the games so far, arguably the closest they came to dropping points was against Aston Villa on Matchday 2.
Arsenal were in control for the most part, but a Monday night kick-off at Villa Park could’ve become uncomfortable had certain fine margins fallen the other way — Emi Buendia’s strike clipped the bar, for example.
As it turns out, it could have been more straightforward late on and Arsenal could have gained an extra point on goal difference.
Late on, Bruno Guimaraes was brought down by Ian Maatsen in the box, which Arsenal strongly felt should’ve been a penalty. The referee waved play on and VAR didn’t intervene, but they should have.
Premier League admit Arsenal penalty call mistake against Aston Villa
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel have now officially ruled on the incident, and their verdict is that it was an error by the officials.
On the on-field decision, the panel ruled: “Incorrect — Foul by Maatsen. The panel felt that a penalty should have been awarded on-field for Maatsen’s reckless challenge on Guimaraes. Clear contact was made on the attacker’s standing leg and Maatsen made no contact with the ball.”
On VAR’s opting not to intervene, the panel ruled: “Incorrect — Clear and obvious error. They also felt that VAR should have intervened as the non-penalty awarded was a clear and obvious error. The panel felt that the challenge was reckless and therefore a second caution should have been awarded.”
So not only should it have been a penalty, but Villa should’ve ended the game with 10 men. Maatsen was already on a yellow card after an earlier reckless challenge on Bukayo Saka, who caused the former Chelsea left-back problems all night.
Of course, Arsenal won the game regardless, courtesy of Saka’s winner. But the Gunners know too well how fine the margins are in a title race, where every point and every incident matters.
It won’t change the result, but Arsenal were right to feel aggrieved on this one.
