Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his sympathy for Liverpool over Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal in Sunday’s defeat to Tottenham, insisting that VAR does not guarantee correct decisions.
Liverpool have requested VAR audio of the 2-1 defeat after Diaz’s legitimate goal was ruled out due to, as POGMOL described, “significant human error”. Liverpool issued a damning statement in response suggesting “sporting integrity had been undermined”.
It was explained that VAR’s Darren England believed the referee had awarded the goal, so issued a “full check” to confirm the striker was offside. However, Diaz had been flagged offside, so the decision made on the pitch stood.
Arteta was asked what he thought about the incident and he replied: “We had some important discussions before the start of the season and everyone had the right intentions to improve the game and find the best way to take it forward.
“But it’s true that with everything that has already happened this season, not only in the Premier League but also in other countries, the pressure is increasing. It’s not easy for them. It’s not easy for any club or any manager because that really affects a part of the season or a result and it’s a dangerous thing to do.”
Asked if he has any sympathy for Liverpool, Arteta replied: “You certainly know that in the end you want to get what you deserve. You want to minimise the mistakes that you can’t control outside of the work and the task that you do on a daily basis.
“Everyone tries to play a fair and honest game, but in the end you have to earn the right to win and play under the conditions that the rules allow. When that doesn’t happen, it’s extremely frustrating.
“When they explain all the processes of what they’re trying to do, it sounds very logical, but in the heat, when you’re talking about millimeters and the interpretation of other things, like camera frames, it’s very, very different. It’s a shame that it’s happening, but I don’t think we have the right answers at the moment.”
