Why Leandro Trossard’s goal vs Brentford was ruled out as Arsenal suffer VAR blow.
Arsenal were on the receiving end of another VAR decision on Saturday evening when Leandro Trossard’s opener against Brentford was disallowed for offside.
The Gunners thought they had taken a 1-0 lead shortly before half-time when Trossard headed home from two yards out. Gabriel Jesus’ header was saved by Mark Flekken before the Belgian tucked home the rebound.
However, after a lengthy check by VAR, the goal was ruled out after replays showed Trossard straying into an offside position at the time of Jesus’ header on goal.
FA rules state that ‘a player is in an offside position if: any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line) and any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent’.
The goal isn’t the first moment to go against Mikel Arteta’s side. After Gabriel Martinelli’s strike at Everton was chalked off for offside earlier in the season, Newcastle United’s winner against the Gunners sparked a wild rant from the Spaniard.
“We have to talk about the result because you have to talk about how the hell this goal stand ups and it’s incredible,” said the Arsenal boss. “I feel embarrassed but I have to be the one now coming here to try to defend the club and please ask for help, because it’s an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed; it’s an absolute disgrace.”
He added: “Because it’s not a goal for many reasons; it’s not a goal, for more than one reason at least,” Arteta replied. “It’s not a goal and it’s too much at stake here. We put in so much effort, it’s so difficult to compete at this level, and it’s an absolute disgrace.
“Again, I feel embarrassed having more than 20 years in this country, and this is nowhere near the level to describe this as the best league in the world. I am sorry.” Arteta was charged by the FA with misconduct following his comments.