The Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat to Unai Emery's side on Saturday as they dropped valuable points in the Premier League title race.
John McGinn's seventh-minute strike was enough to seal all three points at Villa Park, as the West Midlands club got to within one point of second-placed Arsenal.
However, as we have so often seen in the top flight this season, the contest did not come without some controversy from VAR.
Loading…
Mikel Arteta thought his side had levelled the sores in stoppage time when Kai Havertz looked to fumble the ball over the line, only for VAR to rule it out for a handball against the German.
Arsenal fans were left furious with the decision, claiming it also touched Matty Cash's hand in the build-up.
Discussing the incident on Match of the Day, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright explained: "The ball is so close to everybody. It's hit Matty Cash's hand, it's hit Havertz's hand, but the law says it cannot hit your hand anywhere and it's the most ridiculous law. The defenders can accidentally handball it but the forwards can't."
Lineker then butted in: "Why are we trying to stop goals? The people who make the laws of the game, why are they doing that? Really bizarre
"It's ridiculous," Wright replied. "The most ridiculous law in all of law, not just football law. All law in the whole world, the multiverse and everything. Ridiculous."
Offering his opinion on the technology, Lineker added: "I have to say I really don't like VAR very much anymore. I was one of those that advocated for it and I actually feel quite guilty and I was definitely wrong. It's spoiling the game."
What did you think of the decision to rule out Havertz's goal? Let us know in the comments.
Published 10:05, 10 December 2023 GMT
| Last updated 10:05, 10 December 2023 GMT
Gary Lineker says he 'doesn't like' VAR anymore after Arsenal's disallowed goal vs Aston VillaA new angle has emerged of the referee's position before Kai Havertz’s late equaliser was disallowed against Aston Villa.
John McGinn's early goal was enough to earn Villa a dramatic 1-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday, to move Unai Emery’s men to within two points of the top of the Premier League.
The Gunners had been knocked off the summit by Liverpool earlier that day, and needed to beat Villa, a side that had won 14 consecutive home games in the Premier League, to regain their place.
Emery’s side struck early via McGinn but were unable to sustain their intensity and only stayed ahead courtesy of two Diego Carlos goal-line clearances.
Then, the dramatic closing stages saw Havertz bundle in an equaliser, only for the goal to be disallowed for handball.
Referee Jarred Gillett immediately signalled for handball against the German - a decision that was subsequently confirmed by a lengthy VAR check, with the ball appearing to touch his hand as well as Villa defender Matty Cash’s arm before it crossed the line.
While Mikel Arteta, who is already in hot water with the PGMOL, refused to discuss the controversial decision post-match, Arsenal fans were quick to highlight the referee’s position for Havertz’s late equaliser.
Gillett was some distance away from the goal-line scramble, on the edge of the semi-circle outside the box.
Writing on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter, one Arsenal fan said: “All of a sudden we get a referee who has laser 20/20 vision and can see through players to make a clear handball decision.”
Another said: “I'm thinking he disallowed the goal for a foul on Martinez cos no way he saw a handball from where he's at.”
A third wrote: “It’s incredible how the officials can somehow see through players when it involves f***ing over Arsenal.”
A fourth said: “He’s guessed, pure and simple. Just coincidence that it’s another decision against Arsenal by this ref.”
Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Chris Byfield
Published 11:28, 01 December 2023 GMT
| Last updated 11:28, 01 December 2023 GMT
Gary Lineker names 'insecure' Arsenal legend who 'pinched' him in games as the most 'annoying' player he faced
Gary Lineker has named a former Arsenal defender as the most annoying player he faced during his career.
Former England striker Lineker's professional career on the pitch spanned more than 15 years, coming through the youth team ranks at his beloved Leicester City.
From there, he had spells with Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham and ended his playing days in Japan with Nagoya Grampus Eight.
Following the end of his playing career, Lineker has established himself as a successful broadcaster, most notably hosting the BBC's flagship football programme Match of the Day, as well as Champions League coverage more recently.
On the latest edition on The Rest Is Football podcast, the question cropped up of which player was the most annoying Lineker faced in his playing days.
Micah Richards chose Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as the player he found the most annoying to face, before Lineker answered the same question.
And the former striker chose retired Arsenal defender Martin Keown as the one he did not relish facing, even going so far to admit that he used to get 'pinched' in games by his now Match of the Day colleague, as he recounted a funny story which Lee Dixon has about the ex-Gunners man.
0 Comments