West Ham United came out top against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in a Premier League shocker on Thursday, December 28, 2023
Tomas Soucek and Mavropanos gave the Hammers the lift over the Gunners. Soucek opened the scoring for the away side in the 13th minute before Mavropanos doubled the lead in 55th minute.
Tomas Soucek's first goal was controversial. In the buildup to the goal, it appeared as if the ball had gone out of play before Jarrod Bowen passed the ball to Soucek.
The ball appeared to have gone out of play before Jarrod Bowen's assist.
Source: Getty Images
The incident had to be checked for over three minutes as VAR officials attempt to establish whether the ball had gone out of play before Jarrod Bowen's assist.
After the lengthy review and replays, the VAR officials gave the nod to center-referee to stick with his decision to allow the goal stand.
As expected, controversies trailed the decision as the ball on Bowen's feet appeared out of play from human vision.
Moreso, VAR camera could not actually determine whether the ball was out of play or not. An ankle of the main VAR camera was blocked by Jarrod Bowen's body.
The opposite camera from the other end of the pitch was far and could not actually establish whether the ball was out of play or not.
It is the second time Arsenal have had to battle with controversial goal of same nature this season. Early this season, the London outfit suffered defeat against Newcastle United with a similar controversial goal from Anthony Gordon.
Before Gordon's goal, Joe Willock was thought to have kept the ball in play after it had crossed the line. A lengthy VAR check was conducted, and the goal allowed to stand afterwards.
Similar VAR incident occured in a Premier League game against Newcastle - Joe Willock appeared to have played in the ball after it had crossed the line
Image Credit: Getty
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left fuming with the decision to allow Anthony Gordon's goal stand. The Spaniard described the decision as a disgrace.
Arsenal issued a statement backing Arteta, and calling the PGMOL to do better on officiating.
Problems of optical illusion and VAR
While referees have been subjected to heavy backlash for controversial goals, the aforementioned incidents are examples of the limitations of VAR.
From human vision, the ball appeared as if they had gone out of play but VAR could not actually determine whether they have actually gone out of play of not.
In the two case, the distance of VAR camera's made it difficult to zoom up the incident and determine whether they are out of play or not.
Premier League pundits such as Jamie Carragher believes officials should not be roasted for allowing the goal to stand in such incidents. He maintains it is a significant VAR error not human error, and it is rational to allow the goal stand.
What are your thoughts? Comment below
Tomas Soucek and Mavropanos gave the Hammers the lift over the Gunners. Soucek opened the scoring for the away side in the 13th minute before Mavropanos doubled the lead in 55th minute.
Tomas Soucek's first goal was controversial. In the buildup to the goal, it appeared as if the ball had gone out of play before Jarrod Bowen passed the ball to Soucek.
The ball appeared to have gone out of play before Jarrod Bowen's assist.
Source: Getty Images
The incident had to be checked for over three minutes as VAR officials attempt to establish whether the ball had gone out of play before Jarrod Bowen's assist.
After the lengthy review and replays, the VAR officials gave the nod to center-referee to stick with his decision to allow the goal stand.
As expected, controversies trailed the decision as the ball on Bowen's feet appeared out of play from human vision.
Moreso, VAR camera could not actually determine whether the ball was out of play or not. An ankle of the main VAR camera was blocked by Jarrod Bowen's body.
The opposite camera from the other end of the pitch was far and could not actually establish whether the ball was out of play or not.
It is the second time Arsenal have had to battle with controversial goal of same nature this season. Early this season, the London outfit suffered defeat against Newcastle United with a similar controversial goal from Anthony Gordon.
Before Gordon's goal, Joe Willock was thought to have kept the ball in play after it had crossed the line. A lengthy VAR check was conducted, and the goal allowed to stand afterwards.
Similar VAR incident occured in a Premier League game against Newcastle - Joe Willock appeared to have played in the ball after it had crossed the line
Image Credit: Getty
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left fuming with the decision to allow Anthony Gordon's goal stand. The Spaniard described the decision as a disgrace.
Arsenal issued a statement backing Arteta, and calling the PGMOL to do better on officiating.
Problems of optical illusion and VAR
While referees have been subjected to heavy backlash for controversial goals, the aforementioned incidents are examples of the limitations of VAR.
From human vision, the ball appeared as if they had gone out of play but VAR could not actually determine whether they have actually gone out of play of not.
In the two case, the distance of VAR camera's made it difficult to zoom up the incident and determine whether they are out of play or not.
Premier League pundits such as Jamie Carragher believes officials should not be roasted for allowing the goal to stand in such incidents. He maintains it is a significant VAR error not human error, and it is rational to allow the goal stand.
What are your thoughts? Comment below