Premier League officials have acknowledged that Arsenal benefitted from a major VAR error during their 1-0 victory over Brighton earlier this month.
Bukayo Saka’s early goal secured the win for the Gunners at the Amex Stadium.
On the same night, Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium, adding another twist to the Premier League title race.
Brighton believed they should have been awarded a penalty late in the first half when Mats Wieffer was brought down by Gabriel Martinelli inside the area.
Referee Chris Kavanagh allowed play to continue, while the incident was cleared by Michael Salisbury, who was on VAR duty.
However, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel has now ruled that Brighton should have been awarded a penalty.
The panel stated, “Martinelli is not looking at the ball, holds Weiffer into the area and prevents the Brighton player from challenging for the ball.”
According to the panel, the decision was supported by a 4 to 1 vote that a penalty should have been awarded on the field, while a 3 to 2 vote concluded that the situation was a missed VAR intervention.
The incident marks the second time Arsenal have avoided conceding a penalty this season.
Earlier in the campaign against Everton, William Saliba’s challenge on Thierno Barry was not considered a foul by VAR, with Michael Salisbury also serving as the video assistant referee in that match.
The decision denied David Moyes’ side the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot.
