Arteta Slams VAR After Controversial Brighton Penalty Denies Arsenal Win
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left stunned by a controversial VAR decision during Arsenalâs match against Brighton, which ended in a frustrating draw for the Gunners. The gameâs defining moment came late in the second half when Brighton was awarded a penalty following a VAR review, a decision that Arteta described as âunacceptable.â
âI have never seen anything like it in my life,â Arteta said post-match, clearly exasperated. âThis is not the standard we expect. Itâs unacceptable.â
Arsenal, pushing for a critical victory to strengthen their league position, had controlled much of the game. However, the penalty handed Brighton an equalizer, nullifying Arsenalâs earlier efforts. The decision sparked immediate backlash, with players and fans questioning the consistency of VAR in high-stakes moments.
âThis isnât just about usâitâs about the integrity of the game,â Arteta added. âVAR was introduced to bring clarity, not create confusion.â
The decision reignited debates about the use of technology in football and its impact on crucial outcomes. For Arsenal, it was a bitter pill to swallow as their title hopes took a hit. Meanwhile, calls for a review of VAR operations grow louder, with many urging better implementation and transparency it’s use.