VAR Drama Strikes Again: Southampton’s Disallowed Goal and Arsenal’s Controversial Opener
Another weekend of Premier League action, another round of VAR controversies. It seems like every week, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) finds itself at the center of heated debates, and this past weekend was no exception. From Southampton’s disallowed goal against Brighton to Arsenal’s contentious opener against West Ham, fans and pundits alike are left scratching their heads. So, how are these decisions made, and were they the right calls? Let’s dive into the key moments and dissect the drama.
Brighton 1-1 Southampton
Southampton’s Disallowed Goal: Armstrong’s Offside Flick
What happened: In the 67th minute, Southampton thought they had taken a 2-1 lead when Ryan Fraser delivered a cross into the box, and Cameron Archer slotted it home. But as the Saints celebrated, the on-field officials ruled the goal out for an offside offense by Adam Armstrong. The VAR, Jarred Gillett, then spent an agonizing four minutes and 27 seconds reviewing the play. (Watch here)
VAR decision: No goal.
VAR review: The decision, while technically correct under the Laws of the Game, left fans frustrated due to the lengthy review process. Armstrong, in an offside position, flicked at the ball, which the officials deemed an “obvious action” that impacted Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s ability to play the ball. While Verbruggen didn’t move from his position, the law doesn’t require the goalkeeper to be physically stopped from making a save—only that their ability to do so is impacted.
Here’s the kicker: the VAR spent over three minutes determining that Archer was onside, a decision that was ultimately irrelevant because Armstrong’s offside action occurred first. Had the VAR prioritized Armstrong’s involvement, the review could have been completed much faster, sparing fans and players the prolonged wait.
Key takeaway: The on-field decision of offside was crucial, and while the call was correct, the process highlighted inefficiencies in the current VAR system. Southampton manager Russell Martin lamented the weight given to on-field decisions, but as it stands, that’s how the system operates.
West Ham 2-5 Arsenal
Arsenal’s Controversial Opener: Foul or Fair Play?
What happened: Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a header from a corner. However, West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá claimed he was fouled by Jurrien Timber in the buildup. Referee Anthony Taylor, who had a clear view of the incident, allowed the goal to stand.
VAR decision: Goal stands.
VAR review: Timber leaned into Paquetá, affecting his ability to challenge for the ball. While there was a case for a foul, the VAR deemed it insufficient to overturn the on-field decision. Interestingly, similar incidents in other European leagues often result in disallowed goals, but the Premier League’s higher threshold for VAR intervention meant Arsenal’s goal stood.
Key takeaway: This was a 50/50 call that could have gone either way. Arsenal would have had little room to complain if the goal had been disallowed, but the lack of a clear and obvious error meant the VAR stayed out of it.
Other VAR Talking Points
- Penalty Drama: Arsenal were awarded a penalty after Lucas Paquetá tripped Bukayo Saka. While the contact was minimal, the VAR upheld the decision, citing clear contact between the players.
- Goalkeeper Collision: West Ham’s Lukasz Fabianski conceded a penalty after clattering into Gabriel during a corner. The VAR supported the on-field decision, as Fabianski’s reckless challenge made contact with Gabriel’s head.
- Red Card Controversy: Fulham’s Tom Cairney was sent off for a high challenge on Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski. The VAR intervened, deeming the tackle dangerous enough to warrant a red card.
Consistency Remains Elusive
One of the biggest criticisms of VAR is the perceived lack of consistency. For example, Southampton fans will remember a similar incident in October when Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli scored a goal despite an offside teammate making a movement toward the ball. In that case, the on-field decision was onside, and the goal stood. The difference? The initial call made by the referee. This highlights a fundamental issue: VAR is designed to correct clear and obvious errors, not to ensure uniformity in subjective decisions.
Looking Ahead
With semiautomated offside technology (SAOT) delayed until at least next season, the Premier League must find ways to improve the efficiency and transparency of VAR. Fans are growing increasingly frustrated with lengthy reviews and inconsistent outcomes, and the league risks alienating its audience if these issues persist.
For now, the debate rages on. Was Southampton’s disallowed goal the right call? Should Arsenal’s opener have been ruled out? One thing is certain: VAR isn’t going anywhere, and the controversies will keep coming.
Originally Written by: Dale Johnson
