Premier League admits VAR mistake as explanation issued over controversial decision

Arsenal may have been lucky to finish with ten men against Chelsea – but they were robbed of a penalty in their 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.

The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel have released their independent assessment of all the major talking points from Matchweek 2.

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And they have claimed that there was only one incident that match officials got wrong.

What incident was wrong from Matchweek 2?

The KMI have insisted that the Gunners should have been awarded a spot-kick for Ian Maatsen’s challenge on Bruno Guimaraes.

The Brazilian midfielder came off the bench at Villa Park in what was his Premier League debut for the north London giants following his £75million move from Newcastle.

With Arsenal leading 1-0 at the time, they thought they had the perfect chance to double their lead on the road in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

Guimaraes was played through on goal by Eberechi Eze, but failed to make contact when attempting to shoot following a challenge by Maatsen.

Referee Jarred Gillett waves away the penalty appeals, despite replays showing that Maatsen‘s trailing leg wiped out the ex-Lyon star.

Fortunately for Arsenal, they managed to hold on for all three points with the decision not having a decisive impact on the result.

Though the KMI have stressed that Maatsen should have received a second yellow card for his ‘reckless’ tackle – insisting it was ‘clear and obvious error’ from Gillett and VAR officials James Bell and Nick Hopton.

The KMI panel, made up of five members, which includes three former players or coaches, one Premier League representative, and one from ProRef, voted unanimously with five votes to none that the incorrect decision was made.

A statement read: “The panel felt that a penalty should have been awarded on-field for Maatsen’s reckless challenge on Guimaraes.

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“Clear contact was made on the attacker’s standing leg and Maatsen made no contact with the ball.”

They added: “In addition, the panel felt that Maatsen should have been shown a second yellow card for the challenge on Guimaraes, deeming it reckless.

“In this situation, had the VAR recommended an on-field review, the referee would have retained all options, including the ability to issue Maatsen with a second yellow card.”

What incident did Arsenal get away with against Chelsea?

While the panel agreed Arsenal were denied a penalty, they could soon announce they were the beneficiaries of a decision going in their favour.

During their 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday, centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes escaped without any punishment for his kick on Emiliano Martinez.

With the Gunners trailing 1-0 at the time, a desperate Gabriel looked to prod the ball goalwards in the middle of a scramble inside the six-yard box.

However, he instead made contact with Martinez’s head, resulting in the goalkeeper requiring medical attention.

Referee Chris Kavanagh failed to brandish a red card, with VAR failing to get involved in the incident.

talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor was one of many that thought the Brazilian should have received an early bath.

He said on the Sports Breakfast show: “I thought it was a red card and everyone can say, ‘Well you know they’re all on the floor and he’s swinging his legs trying to get the ball.’

“But it’s a high boot on the head of Martinez, you’ve got to look at players welfare. What if that hits Martinez in the eye? It’s dangerous from Gabriel

“It’s reckless when the keeper’s on the floor, and let’s not forget that Gabriel last season got away with the punch on [Nick] Woltemade, got away with the headbutt towards [Erling] Haaland.

“He gets away with a lot Gabriel, for me I thought it was a red card.”