Arsenal ‘let down’ by VAR again as Howard Webb urged into action

Arsenal ‘let down’ by VAR again as Howard Webb urged into action

Arsenal were “let down” by VAR during Saturday’s dramatic Premier League win over Bournemouth, according to former Premier League referee Graham Poll.

Reiss Nelson scored a last-gasp winner to maintain the Gunners’ five-point lead over Manchester City as Mikel Arteta’s came from behind at the Emirates Stadium.

The hosts conceded the quickest goal in the Premier League this season when Philip Billing scored within the opening nine seconds of the game.

Scoring straight from kick-off is something Bournemouth have exploited a number of times over the past few years, including against Fulham in the Championship last season.

Still, Poll believes the goal should not have stood.

A number of Bournemouth players appeared to have entered Arsenal’s half before kick-off and Poll believes referee Chris Kavanagh and his officials should have spotted them.

“VAR once again appeared to let Arsenal FC down again on Saturday as both the on field referee, Chris Kavanagh, and his colleagues at Stockley Park failed to punish the FACT that a number of Bournemouth players were in the opposing half before the kick off at the start of the match,” Poll told BettingSites.co.uk.

Arsenal score late winners

Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. (PA)
Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. (PA)
Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal scores the team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22, 2023 (Getty Images)
Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal scores the team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22, 2023 (Getty Images)
Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah (second right) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium (PA)
Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah (second right) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium (PA)
Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (2L) shoots past Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea from close range to score their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United (AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (2L) shoots past Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea from close range to score their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United (AFP via Getty Images)
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez lies dejected during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. (PA)
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez lies dejected during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. (PA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (right) celebrates his sides third goal scored by Jorginho during the Premier League match at Villa Park (PA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (right) celebrates his sides third goal scored by Jorginho during the Premier League match at Villa Park (PA)
Arsenal's Jorginho (hidden) and team mates celebrate their sides third goal, an own goal by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. (PA)
Arsenal's Jorginho (hidden) and team mates celebrate their sides third goal, an own goal by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. (PA)
Jorginho and Takehiro Tomiyasu celebrate the third Arsenal goal, an own goal scored by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez during the Premier League match (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Jorginho and Takehiro Tomiyasu celebrate the third Arsenal goal, an own goal scored by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez during the Premier League match (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal's William Saliba, left, Arsenal's Jorginho, centre, Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrate after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park (AP)
Arsenal's William Saliba, left, Arsenal's Jorginho, centre, Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrate after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park (AP)
Reiss Nelson of Arsenal celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023 (Getty Images)
Reiss Nelson of Arsenal celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023 (Getty Images)
Arsenal players celebrate their sides third goal scored by Reiss Nelson during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. (PA)
Arsenal players celebrate their sides third goal scored by Reiss Nelson during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. (PA)

“Kavanagh should have seen the encroachment and ordered the kick off to be retaken long before Bournemouth got into the Arsenal penalty area.

“This happens in a vast number of games but a goal does not follow within 10 seconds and so the offence goes unnoticed and unpunished.

Early strike: Billing opened the scoring against Arsenal (Action Images via Reuters)
Early strike: Billing opened the scoring against Arsenal (Action Images via Reuters)

“Had the player who encroached the most, Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth number 24), been the player who scored there could well have been an intervention by VAR but with Howard Webb now in charge we will only see less technical offences that are missed being corrected.

“Had the game finished 0-1 there could have been more criticism but that’s how luck plays a massive part in a referee’s career.

“But it didn’t and if, like me, you want your football games to flow, you would applaud Webb’s approach; however I do expect him to have a word in Kavanagh’s ear to be more vigilant at set pieces.”