Manchester City are trailing Arsenal by two points in the Premier League title race heading into the final week of the campaign
Manchester City could be left cursing VAR after decisions went against them this season
Manchester City could be left cursing VAR after decisions went against them this season(Image: Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Premier League VAR errors have benefited Arsenal to the potential tune of four points this season, gifting the Gunners a huge advantage in the title race.
City are two points behind Mikel Arteta's side at the top of the table with two games to play but that could easily be a two-point lead given the VAR controversies this campaign.
The Key Match Incident (KMI) panel that evaluates all refereeing and VAR decisions on behalf of the Premier League has so far recorded 23 errors this term, two of which have involved Arsenal with both decisions benefiting the Gunners.
In December, Arsenal beat Everton 1-0 thanks to a Viktor Gyokeres penalty. But with Arsenal ahead, David Moyes' side claimed a penalty when William Saliba caught Thierno Barry. The VAR chose not to alert the referee to the incident as they deemed there was not enough contact.
However, the (KMI) panel found a mistake had been made. Their ruling said: "[It was] a late challenge where Saliba carelessly kicks Barry with no contact on the ball.
"Two panellists supported the on-field no penalty call as they felt there was not enough impact and a delayed reaction."
Despite the verdict of the three person being split, it was concluded that VAR should have intervened.
Then in March, Brighton were wrongly denied a penalty during a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal. With the Gunners leading thanks to Bukayo Saka's goal, Brighton's Mats Wieffer was brought down by Gabriel Martinelli.
On this the, KMI said: "Martinelli is not looking at the ball, holds Wieffer into the area and prevents the Brighton player from challenging for the ball."
Again, this decision was not overruled by VAR. Had those two penalties been awarded and converted, Arsenal would be four points fewer off.
As for City, they have been involved in two VAR errors - one in their favour and the other against. During the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle in November, Fabian Schar caught Phil Foden after the midfielder took a shot. Leeway is given to defenders for catching opponents in an attempt to make a block but KMI found this crossed the line and was a foul.
"Despite Foden getting a shot away, Schar makes a reckless foul challenge," the verdict said. "Two panellists supported the decision as contact was a consequence of the momentum of the blocking action and not clearly reckless."
Phil Foden is wiped out by Fabian Schar during Manchester City's defeat to Newcastle
Phil Foden is wiped out by Fabian Schar during Manchester City's defeat to Newcastle
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At the time, the score was 0-0 and had the penalty been given, the outcome of the game could have changed. In raw terms, had the spot kick been given and converted then City would have gained a point.
Meanwhile, City benfitted from a VAR call in the recent 3-3 draw against Everton. With the Toffees leading 3-2, Bernardo Silva was seen holding Merlin Rohl in the penalty area. VAR decided this took place before the corner and so they were unable to get involved.
However, KMI found the offence took place as the corner was taken and continued as the ball came into play, meaning a penalty should have been given. Had City gained a point at Newcastle and lost at Everton as a result of these decisions, they would be no worse off.
On the other hand, Arsenal could have drawn against Everton and Brighton leaving them on 75 points instead of 79. This will only add to City frustrations given a couple of other high profile decisions went in Arsenal's favour.
Gabriel should have been sent off during City's 2-1 win over Arsenal after he headbutted Erling Haaland. KMI found the referee had made the wrong call but the threshold had not been met for VAR to get involved.
Arsenal also survived conceding a late equaliser to West Ham recently. Callum Wilson thought he had scored only for VAR to find that Pablo had fouled goalkeeper David Raya in the build-up.
KMI and PGMO chief Howard Webb insisted this decision was correct. But, it split opinion particularly considering Arsenal's physicality at corners this season.