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| Image Credit-sportbible |
Arsenal has been more negatively affected by the VAR system than any other team in the Premier League this season.
It’s been far from a classic season for the Gunners in the league, in Mikel Arteta’s first entire season in charge of the team he used to play for.
The north Londoners are currently 10th after 33 games of the season but could drop out of the top half if Aston Villa wins their game in hand, making it possible for them to finish in the bottom half since a 12th place finished in 1995.
While they could still win the Europa League, it’s undoubtedly been a poor campaign for Arteta’s team in the league.
However, things might have been better for them without VAR getting in the way; with the Emirates Stadium outfit, the team-worst off in England’s top tier.
ESPN FC’s Dale Johnson has done a full review of the league’s VAR stats so far this season and revealed that only two goals had been overturned in the Gunners’ favor up to now, the lowest of anyone.
VAR overturns – decisions for
Brighton 9
Fulham 9
Aston Villa 7
Chelsea 7
Leicester City 7
Liverpool 7
Man United 7
Southampton 7
Tottenham 7
Crystal Palace 6
Everton 6
Sheffield United 6
Burnley 5
Leeds 5
Man City 5
West Ham 5
Newcastle 4
Wolves 4
West Brom 3
Arsenal 2— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) April 28, 2021
However, that’s not all of it because Arsenal is also second in the table when it comes to decisions being overturned in the opposition’s favor.
Nine times the Gunners have seen their opponents decide in their favor overturned, which is second only to Liverpool.
VAR overturns – decisions against
Liverpool 12
Arsenal 9
Man United 9
West Brom 9
Brighton 8
Tottenham 8
Southampton 7
Fulham 6
Leicester City 6
West Ham 6
Wolves 6
Aston Villa 5
Crystal Palace 5
Newcastle 5
Leeds 4
Sheffield United 4
Chelsea 3
Man City 3
Everton 2
Burnley 1— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) April 28, 2021
Arsenal have 2 VAR decisions in their favour this season. The fewest of any PL side.
The most overturns in the opponents favour (9).
Arsenal have -7 Net in decisions by VAR.
Only WBA (-6) and Liverpool (-5) come close. The next closest are Man United, Wolves (-2).
Farce.
— TikiTakaConnor (@TikiTakaConnor) April 28, 2021
It certainly doesn’t make for great reading for Arsenal fans but it’s unlikely they’d be that much further up the table if VAR hadn’t made those changes.
They’ll have to look far beyond technology for reasons for their poor season!