‘Goes unnoticed’ – Former referee admits VAR blunder during Arsenal vs Bournemouth clash
According to ex-referee Graham Poll, Bournemouth’s first goal against Arsenal on the weekend should not have been allowed.
Philip Billing scored within the first nine seconds of the game to give Bournemouth an unexpected lead at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Poll has disclosed that VAR failed to notice that a few Bournemouth players were already in Arsenal’s half when the game started, and if this had been identified, kick-off would have had to be repeated.
Despite falling behind 2-0, Arsenal rallied and managed to come back to win the game 3-2, which was crucial in maintaining their pursuit of the Premier League title. In the dying moments of the match, winger Reiss Nelson scored the winning goal, which sparked jubilation among the home supporters.
According to BettingSites.co.uk, Poll has expressed the opinion that Bournemouth’s first goal should have been disallowed.
“VAR once again appeared to let Arsenal FC down again on Saturday as both the on field referee, Chris Kavanagh, and his colleagues at Stockley Park failed to punish the FACT that a number of Bournemouth players were in the opposing half before the kick off at the start of the match. Kavanagh should have seen the encroachment and ordered the kick off to be retaken long before Bournemouth got into the Arsenal penalty area.
“This happens in a vast number of games but a goal does not follow within 10 seconds and so the offence goes unnoticed and unpunished. Had the player who encroached the most, Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth number 24), been the player who scored there could well have been an intervention by VAR but with Howard Webb now in charge we will only see less technical offences that are missed being corrected.”
To be fair, they did have a full 9.11 seconds of footage to check on this one. Can’t expect them to check everything… pic.twitter.com/SpmcjebA4Y
— Oli Downes (@olidownes1981) March 6, 2023
He added: “Had the game finished 0-1 there could have been more criticism but that’s how luck plays a massive part in a referee’s career. But it didn’t and if, like me, you want your football games to flow, you would applaud Webb’s approach; however I do expect him to have a word in Kavanagh’s ear to be more vigilant at set pieces.”
After the disappointment of a poor decision in their home defeat to Brentford last month, Arsenal can be relieved that they were not affected by any similar mistakes during the game against Bournemouth.
Such results, where a team must dig deep and secure a victory, are the ones that can make the difference in winning a league title. The comeback win against Bournemouth is likely to boost the confidence of Arteta’s players.
‘Goes unnoticed’ – Former referee admits VAR blunder during Arsenal vs Bournemouth clash
