Reactions To Controversial VAR and Referee Decisions In Arsenal Vs Man United Game.

The game between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, has seen the refereeing come under heavy scrutiny, as fans are unhappy about the VAR decisions.

Though Arsenal won the game 3-1, but the result was tainted by a number of controversial judgments.

There were a host of questionable decisions from referee Craig Pawson in the lunchtime kick-off, with Man United feeling they should have been awarded three penalties.

In the first half, there was a clear handball by Cedric Soares when Jadon Sancho attempted to dribble into the box, denying a goalscoring opportunity, but Pawson waved on and there was no guidance from the VAR.

Arsenal’s penalty was arguably a foul on Telles and not the other way around, whilst their third goal by Granit Xhaka should’ve been disallowed for an obvious offside on Eddie Nketiah, who was obscuring David de Gea’s line of vision.

Furthermore, Cristiano Ronaldo's second goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside, Anthony Elanga also had a penalty appeal as well but was not given.

According to ex-Premier League referee Halsey, Elanga was defeated far too easily on that occasion.

"I think he goes down far too easily, and I agree with VAR not getting involved in that because it's subjective," Halsey told Caught Offside, as he analysis the situations of the game.

On the handball, which saw Soares take the ball away with his hand, Halsey believes the Arsenal defender knew what he was doing – but understands why the referee didn't award it under the rules.

"There is no offense if the ball strikes the hand or arm while it is between the body and the ground," Halsey added.

"The rules of the game may say it isn't a penalty, but Cedric appeared to swipe the ball on purpose.

"I believe Cedric understands what he's doing since he moves his arm towards the ball."

“I thought Fernandes was very lucky for his challenge on Tavares. I think Fernandes was very fortunate that VAR didn’t recommend a review.”

On the Bruno Fernandes situation, Halsey said that the Portuguese was fortunate not to be sent off for a late challenge on Tavares. "I’m surprised that VAR didn’t recommend a review. I thought that was a challenge that endangered a player’s safety with excessive force."

Manchester United interim manager, Ralf Rangnick wasn't also a happy man after the game, as he claimed that referee Craig Pawson made two mistakes during their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.

Accccording to the German, Ronaldo’s goal should have stood, while Arsenal’s third goal shouldn’t have stood.

"We were at least unlucky with those three or four moments.

"The second goal of Cristiano was not offside and you can even see it in that total perspective exactly in one line. I just saw it right now after the game and if this is the right picture, and I suppose they showed me the right picture, you could see it. It was clearly one line in one line.

"Their third goal was clearly offside, I spoke to David de Gea after the game and he said to me he just couldn't see the ball because Nketiah was in between Granit Xhaka and himself. They checked it but for whatever reason still gave the goal.

"Anthony Elanga was arm-in-arm with Tavares, the other player with him. At least, also questionable. The other three situations were clear. This is why we have a VAR and you should expect the VAR plus the referee, if they're checking situations they come to the right decision."

❌ "There was another handball in the first half."
❌ "The second goal of Cristiano was NOT offside."
❌ "Their third goal was clearly offside."

Ralf Rangnick lists the moments where he felt the wrong decisions were made in Arsenal vs Man United pic.twitter.com/hbNsmzNwPd
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 23, 2022

United hopes of sealing a place in next season’s Champions League are all but over after their latest defeat against another top four rival Arsenal who climbed up to fourth following the win.

Fans Reactions Below: