Mike Dean explains why VAR was RIGHT for both big calls in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Manchester United, after Kai Havertz had penalty overturned and Alejandro Garnacho had goal ruled out
- Arsenal beat Man Untied 3-1 on Sunday after scoring twice in injury time
- United had a goal ruled out late on, while Arsenal had a penalty overturned
- Mike Dean has since explained why he felt the correct decisions were made
Former referee Mike Dean has given his thoughts on why the officials got two big calls right during Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Man United.
The Gunners’ secured a dramatic three points thanks to goals in injury time from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus, but could have gone ahead earlier after Kai Havertz was brought down in the box by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot, but later changed his decision after VAR called him over to look at the monitor.
Mikel Arteta’s side then had a decision go in their favour in the 88th minute, when Alejandro Garnacho scored a would-be winner that was ruled out in a very tight off-side call to the annoyance of Erik ten Hag.
For Dean, Taylor’s initial penalty decision was understandable but rightly overturned, as he told Sky Sports: ‘I can see how we got to the right decision. From the gantry it looked like a nailed on penalty for everyone in the stadium.
Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday after two goals in second half injury time
Kai Havertz had a strong penalty shout in the second half, which was overturned after a VAR check
Alejandro Garnacho then put the ball in the net in the 88th minute, but it was ruled out for off-side
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‘But from another angle the defender hasn’t committed a foul. Havertz’s leg has caused Wan-Bissaka to run past him.
‘I can see why Anthony’s given the penalty kick but there’s just no offence committed by the defender, so good intervention from VAR, sent to the screen and he’s come to the right decision.’
If the penalty had been given, it would have been a welcome break from Havertz after a tricky start to life at the Emirates.
The former Chelsea man was gifted an excellent chance to put his side in front in the first half but missed the ball entirely from close range.
Dean also agreed with the decision to rule out Garnacho’s goal, despite protests from ten Hag.
‘It’s very very tight, I can understand why the assistant has kept his flag down’ the former referee said. ‘At first glance I thought it was offside. You can’t fault the technology, the lines show he is offside.’
For United, the loss will be a blow as it leaves them six points off league leaders Man City despite a solid performance at the Emirates.
Speaking after the game, ten Hag told Sky Sports: ‘The performance is right, we played a good game but everything went against us. A little more luck and we win the game.’
Mike Dean agreed with both decisions and felt VAR had been used well during the game
United boss Erik ten Hag said he felt ‘everything had gone against’ his side but did praise their performance
He also claimed the Garnacho goal was ‘not offside’ and suggested the ‘wrong angle’ had been used to check it.
Dean did sympathise with ten Hag’s complaints as the angle used to make the VAR decision was ‘not ideal’, but was confident the correct decision had been made.
Arsenal’s dramatic late goals left them just two points off the leaders as they head into the international break, tied on 10 points with Tottenham, Liverpool and West Ham.
The Gunners will next be in action against Everton on Sunday, September 17 before making their Champions League return against PSV the following Wednesday.
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