Arsenal ‘would not be Premier League champions’ without favourable VAR calls, with Mikel Arteta’s side five points better off thanks to the technology
Arsenal are on the verge of winning their first Premier League title in 22 years, but Mikel Arteta’s side have five reasons to thank VAR, according to research.
The Gunners held on in dramatic fashion to beat West Ham 1-0 on Sunday when Callum Wilson’s 95th minute goal was disallowed by VAR. Nuno Espirito Santos’ side thought they had rescued a point to keep their relegation fight alive and bring Manchester City firmly back into the title picture.
However, a VAR check that took over four minutes and 17 watches of the replay from Chris Kavanagh overturned the goal for a foul on David Raya by Pedro in the build-up. It is arguably the biggest VAR decision in the Premier League, and it fell the way of a relieved Gunners side.
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According to research by AceOdds, Arsenal would only be one point ahead of City with Pep Guardiola’s side having a game in hand, if VAR had not been in operation all season.
Arsenal are the side who have enjoyed the second biggest benefit from VAR point swings this season. The Gunners have gained five extra points this campaign thanks to the technology, meaning the title would be in City’s hands, and the Citizens would have been predicted to win the title by the research.
City has benefited from VAR but only by claiming one extra point. Currently, the table would have Arsenal on 74 points instead of 79. And City on 73 instead of 74 with a game in hand.
Elsewhere, Liverpool and Aston Villa’s Champions League qualification would be under serious threat. Arne Slot’s side haven’t benefited from VAR according to the research, with Villa picking up just one extra point.
But it’s the two south coast clubs Brighton and Bournemouth who have been on the receiving end of game-changing VAR decisions.
It’s said that Brighton would be a staggering seven points better off, and the Cherries having five more points. Without VAR, Brighton would currently be fourth in the table and Bournemouth in fifth – ahead of Villa in sixth on goal difference and one point ahead of Liverpool who would be in seventh in a Conference League qualification spot.
Manchester United would remain comfortably third in the table having not been on the receiving end or benefited from a game-changing call by the technology.
Further down the table, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest have been the biggest beneficiaries of VAR, with both clubs picking up an extra six points.
Without the technology, Forest have been predicted to be relegated with 37 points according to the research.
West Ham would survive on 39 points having been predicted to win one of their final two games. Despite the controversial decision against the Gunners, West Ham have reportedly not had a points swing effect without VAR.
Tottenham would also be clear of the drop zone after dropping four points due to VAR interference – leaving them comfortable in 14th on 45 points after being predicted to win one of their remaining three games.
Arsenal could win the title at home against Burnley next Monday if City slip up at home against Crystal Palace next Wednesday. If not the Gunners will have to lift the title at Selhurst Park if they can get over the line against Palace themselves on the final day.