Wenger calls for VAR after Man City v Liverpool mistake

Matt Stead

Arsene Wenger has called for the introduction of VAR technology in the Premier League.

Premier League clubs voted against the usage of VAR from next season at a shareholders meeting last week.

The identity of the clubs who opposed it has not been revealed, although Pep Guardiola stated that some of Manchester City’s rivals were among them.

“I think Manchester City agreed to it but the other top teams, United and Chelsea I think, they didn’t want it,” the Spaniard said.

It appears as though Arsenal were in favour of the technology being implemented however, with Wenger raising the issue again after Newcastle beat Arsenal.

Some felt that the north London side should have been awarded a first-half penalty for handball against Jamaal Lascelles in a game Arsenal would go on to lose.

“The referee is the referee,” Wenger said. “What you want is to help the referee, unfortunately the Premier League has decided not to go for VAR. I think that is a very bad decision.

“I believe with that decision we are behind the rest of the world.

“The young generation is used to (VAR) and worldwide they might move away from us because they see that in other countries they do it.

“Every big game this season has been decided by mistakes that could have been avoided with VAR, especially in the Champions League with Manchester City and Liverpool.”