Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has said that the PGMOL’s apology does not satisfy him following Lee Mason’s horrendous blunder at the weekend.
Arsenal saw their lead at the top of the Premier League cut to three points after the Gunners dropped two points against Brentford at the weekend, Ivan Toney canceling out Leandro Trossard’s opener.
The goal was checked for a possible offside in the buildup, but was allowed to stand, despite the replays appearing to show Christian Norgaard in an offside position.
It has since emerged that Video Assistant Referee Lee Mason had inexplicably forgotten to draw the offside defining lines, with the goal ultimately being allowed to stand and costing Arsenal two potentially pivotal points.
PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/dCDkooxhxf
— PGMOL (@FA_PGMOL) February 12, 2023
The PGMOL have since offered Arsenal an apology for the ‘significant error’, though speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s Premier League clash with Manchester City, Mikel Arteta said he wasn’t satisfied by the apology given the potential gravity of the decision.
“We ended the game with a huge anger because that wasn’t a human error, that was a big not understanding your job and that’s not acceptable,” he said at his pre-match press conference. “That costs Arsenal two points.
“We appreciate the apology and the explanation at the same time. That’s it. We have to move on.
“That has made the players, staff and our fans stronger to pass this hurdle that they put on us.
“I will only be satisfied if they give me the two points back, which is not going to be the case.”
