Ivan Toney’s controversial equalizer in Brentford’s draw at Arsenal was not fully investigated by the video assistant referee, the PA news agency understands.
The Bees left the Emirates Stadium with a 1-1 draw after Toney headed in from close range to undo Leandro Trossard’s opener for the Premier League leaders.
The two points lost could cost the Gunners dearly as they look to keep reigning champions and closest challenger Manchester City at bay – with Pep Guardiola’s side the visitors from the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was furious at the decision to allow Toney’s goal, which went to VAR.
PA understands that a block by Ethan Pinnock on Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes when Mathias Jensen swung a free kick into the penalty area was checked and cleared.
But it is clear that VAR did not fully examine Lee Mason’s call for offside against Christian Norgaard, who provided the assist for Toney’s equaliser, with no lines on the screen to determine whether the Denmark international should have been penalised.
PA has approached the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) group responsible for referees for further comment.
Mason was withdrawn from VAR duties for a round of Premier League games in September after his mistake resulted in Newcastle having a goal disallowed against Crystal Palace. afternoon.
“It’s hard to accept when they scored the equalizer,” Trossard – who came off the bench to open the scoring with his first Arsenal goal – told the club’s official website.
“I think overall we played well. In the first half they had some chances, but in the second half we got more into the game and of course we scored that goal.
“It’s always a missed opportunity I think when you were in charge, especially because we knew what they wanted to do. We know their game plan, that they were strong in set pieces and that’s how we conceded the goal.
“In general we have to keep our heads up and there’s a game on Wednesday, and luckily it’s pretty quick and we can get back to it.”
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank admitted he thought their equalizer would be disallowed, but felt his side more than deserved the result – extending their unbeaten league run to 10 games.
Norgaard echoed his manager’s sentiments and was happy with an assist, albeit a debatable one.
“We always find it difficult to celebrate a point but I think it’s very impressive to come here, at this venue, in the shape Arsenal are in and fighting for the Premier League title,” he said .
“The way we went forward, the transitions, the way we took our chances from set pieces – scoring from another set piece – it really shows that our quality is improving, especially in that area.
“After the World Cup I’ve been involved in a lot of these second balls and have had a few assists now.
“It’s something I focused on a lot, trying to be involved as much as possible on the second balls, so it was nice to get an assist even if it was almost offside!”