VAR was unable to intervene for Arsenal’s equaliser in the north London derby.
Son Heung-min had opened the scoring for Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners were able to battle back through a corner. However, there was controversy in the goal, as Arsenal should have never been awarded the corner
The last touch came off Leandro Trossard, but it was missed by the on pitch officials – with replays showing it should have been a Spurs goal kick. However, VAR is unable to intervene in these situations as it can only call on the referee in certain situations.
In the event of a goal, VAR is only able to analyse the attacking possession phase that led to the goal, and the starting point is limited to the immediate phase, in this instance the corner being taken.
As a result, the Arsenal corner and goal are allowed to stand.
Spurs fans were left furious on social media, and one posted: “I truly believe VAR should be checking if corners are corners. Super quickly while corner taker strolls over to take or if a goal is scored…”
“It’s ridiculous VAR can’t intervene and deny a corner, which will almost always lead to a goalscoring opportunity, if incorrectly given. Again makes you wonder what’s the point in VAR,” a second sighed. While a third posted: “That wasn’t a corner na. Came off Trossard. Why wasn’t it checked?”
“What is the point of VAR if they won’t help with stupid decisions,” a fourth fumed. And another added: “Would be great if VAR could step in with wrongly awarded corner decisions…”