However, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel concluded that just one VAR decision concerning Arsenal was incorrect throughout the season. ..Continue Reading
The North London side secured second place for a third straight year, this time ending ten points behind title winners Liverpool.
While it’s unlikely officiating mistakes alone cost them those ten points, many Arsenal fans might argue that some decisions played a part.
The season opened with two major refereeing controversies in the first five weeks.
Declan Rice received the first red card of his career after a second yellow for time-wasting against Brighton at the Amex. Arsenal were 1-0 up but had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Manager Mikel Arteta suggested Rice merely “passed the ball,” highlighting how soft the infraction seemed. Just two games later, a similar scenario unfolded.
This time it was Leandro Trossard who was cautioned for kicking the ball away—though in his case, he clearly did—right before halftime against Manchester City.
Once again, Arsenal surrendered a lead and drew, dropping another two points. Arteta sarcastically remarked his side might have to “play without the ball” at this rate.
Another moment of controversy came in the reverse fixture against Brighton, when William Saliba was penalized for a supposed foul on Joao Pedro while contesting a header.
Replays indicated Saliba got a slight touch on the ball before contact, but Brighton were awarded a penalty. Arsenal once again drew after leading 1-0.
In Gameweek 23, Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red for halting a Wolves break by fouling Matt Doherty in his own half. The decision was puzzling and later overturned following appeal.
According to the Key Match Incidents panel, this was the sole officiating error involving Arsenal flagged as incorrect during the season.
Across the rest of the league, 17 other VAR-related mistakes were acknowledged—but none included the Gunners.
