A dropped point here or a missed goal there has long been enough to decide the English Premier League.
The difference between last year’s champion Manchester City and runner-up Liverpool was just one point, and as Jurgen Klopp’s team is now realising, opportunities to win the title are rare when you’re stuck in the middle of the league.
This led to a passionate reaction and prevented the league-leading Arsenal from securing a crucial victory when “human error,” as acknowledged by the body in charge of Premier League referees, allowed Brentford’s equalizer to stand in a 1-1 draw with the Gunners.
“I just looked back and it is offside, yes,” manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports afterwards. “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.”
Ivan Toney headed in a goal from a free kick after the ball wobbled about the penalty box as Brentford fell behind 1-0.
Ethan Pinnock’s challenge on Gabriel during the original free-kick was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Lee Mason, but it didn’t appear that he followed the VAR’s rules to review a second incident in the goal’s build-up where Christian Norgaard appeared to be offside.
“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,” Arteta continued.
“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 organization in charge of Premier League referees, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), informed CNN that Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb had gotten in touch with Arsenal “to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process.”
The error was “being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL,” it was said.
After a shocking loss to Everton, Arsenal dropped points the following week against Brentford, cutting their advantage over Manchester City to to three points despite the fact that City has played one more game.
On Wednesday, the Gunners will play City in a match that is likely to determine their season.
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