Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale slams VAR ‘inconsistency’ after Man City penalty drama

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has bemoaned the “inconsistency” around VAR after his side lost to Manchester City.

The Gunners went down 2-1 to the Premier League leaders, who won the game with a 93rd-minute goal from Rodri.

Before that, City had cancelled out Bukayo Saka’s first-half opener when Riyad Mahrez scored a penalty.

Arsenal had been incensed by the awarding of the spot-kick, which was given after referee Stuart Attwell consulted the pitch-side monitor to look at Granit Xhaka’s tackle on Bernardo Silva.

In the first half, Arsenal had their own shout waved away when Ederson caught Martin Odegaard, and Attwell did not go to the screen, although VAR did check it.

“Both penalties, I don’t know why the referee is told to see one and not the other,” Ramsdale told BT Sport.

“It is there for a reason, go and use it. It is the inconsistency. The whole point is to help the game out, in real time it didn't look like one and slow it down on a screen and it is given.

“[The defeat is ] tough to take but we have to take it, that is the result. I don't think for large parts of the game teams have done that to Manchester City. The red card changes the game, we were so close. We go again, we have a big semi-final coming up.

“They are one of, if not the best team in the league. We are a young team and don't fear anyone.”