Arsenal: 5 talking points from 2-0 Chelsea defeat

5. Arsenal and VAR

When talking points come up in the conversation, Arsenal’s penalty shout in the first half has to be mentioned. How it was not a penalty is still utterly baffling; James clearly made contact with Saka’s legs and brought the winger down yet referee Paul Tierney waved play on and VAR did not intervene.

Or at least it saw no infringement.

It has an all too familiar feel to it when talking about Arsenal and VAR. Again, another questionable decision goes against Arteta and his side as it could have given them ammunition to get back into the game.

However, as we often see, these decisions simply do not go Arsenal’s way. Equally, it may not have had any significant outcome with Chelsea vastly superior throughout.

So, Arsenal is winless and goalless in the Premier League after two games with West Brom in the cup next then Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad.

Hopefully, reinforcements are on their way as the Gunners simply have to get going and quick. Yet even with some new faces around the place, the lack of options at Arteta’s disposal is frightening. Absences galore.