Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants two points from the English Premier League for a VAR error that cost his side a win as the title race heats up.
The referees’ body PGMOL apologised to Arsenal after a VAR error allowed Brentford’s equaliser to stand at the weekend, saying “human error” was to blame.
However, Arteta, whose team is currently in the thick of a title battle with Manchester City, was less sympathetic.
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“It wasn’t human error, it was not understanding your job,” said Arteta.
“That’s not acceptable, I’m sorry.
“It cost Arsenal two points that are not going to be restored so we are going to have to find those two points somewhere else in the league.
“We appreciate the apology and the explanations [from PGMOL] – they were really open. We received a lot of sympathy from our colleagues in football.
“I will only be satisfied if they give me the two points back, which will not be the case.
“They were sincere, open and genuine apologies and explanation which is really good but it doesn’t change the fact we have two less points than we should have in the table.”
Arteta’s Arsenal side faces City on Thursday morning in one of two clashes with the reigning champions which could tilt the title chase towards either side.
Arsenal currently holds a three-point lead over City with a game in hand, but a loss to City would see them being overtaken due to City’s superior goal difference.
VAR operator Lee Mason did not draw guidelines to check for offside on Brentford striker Ivan Toney’s equaliser, and as a result, he has not been selected to officiate any matches this weekend.
The incident from Arsenal’s match was not the only VAR error to occur in the Premier League last weekend, with Brighton also having a goal incorrectly disallowed for offside against Crystal Palace. PGMOL was forced to apologise as a result.
John Brooks, the VAR operator for Brighton’s game, was replaced for Tuesday morning’s Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton, but will be the fourth official when Arteta’s Arsenal side faces Aston Villa on Saturday night.
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