Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal - 3 talking points as missed chances cost Gunners

2 of 3

Aston Villa v Arsenal FC - Premier League / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

2. VAR again causes controversy

Now, lets try and be objective here, Arsenal had more than enough chances to win the game, so no the VAR decision at end didn't "cost" them the game. Granted, it didn't help, but the Gunners shot themsevles in the foot by not taking one of the host of chances created.

Now, to the incident. Based on what angles we have seen, it sure looked like the ball hit Matt Cash's arm first before bouncing off and hitting Kai Havertz, yet the handball for Havertz was the reason for the goal, not the handball from Cash which could have warranted a penalty.

It’s crazy that we can have a goal disallowed because the ball touches Havertz on the hand, but they completely ignore the fact it hit Cash’s hand first. Why is one handball an offence and the other isn’t? These new rules are a joke.
— GoonerTalk (@GoonerTaIk) December 9, 2023

It was another odd decision from VAR and its getting tiresome that every week, not only Arsenal, but other teams are on the wrong end of poor decisions.

It was the reason Arsenal lost, but that will be the headline.

Continued on next slide...

Home/Arsenal News