Arsenal Manager Questions Officiating In Brentford Equaliser
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has questioned a decision by Premier League match officials, saying Ivan Toney’s equaliser for Brentford in their 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday should have been ruled out for offside.
Second half substitute Leandro Trossard scored his first goal for the Gunners in the 66th minute, but Arsenal were left frustrated as Toney levelled after heading home a cross from Christian Norgaard.
After a lengthly VAR check, the equaliser stood but Arteta felt it should have been disallowed because Ethan Pinnock appeared to be offside, while blocking Gabriel Magalhaes as a free-kick was delivered into the area for Toney to volley back across goal.
“I just looked back and it is offside, yes,” Arteta told a news conference. “Have they explained why it wasn’t allowed? No. It is frustrating but they will probably give an explanation later in the week. Today we haven’t got one.”
“You have to apply certain principles in defending and you do that by sticking to the rules. Suddenly you change the rules and then you have to change your principles.
“So tell us before so then you don’t hold the (defensive) line that high. Because you’re always going to have an advantage if you get blocked. You cannot block if you are offside.”
There was also a suggestion that Norgaard was offside before he made the assist but that did not appear to be proven.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank had a few words to share when asked about the controversial equaliser at the Emirates Stadium.
“I agree that when they kick the ball Ethan is in an offside position,” Brentford manager Thomas Frank said.
“As far as I know the football law, the next question is, did he influence that we could cross the ball across? They decided it was not enough, I agree!”
Arsenal have 51 points, six (6) more than second-placed Manchester City, who will play Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The Premier League champions will then face Arsenal in a top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Emirates Stadium.
