Howard Webb ‘confirms’ Arsenal were robbed against Chelsea

In a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal and Chelsea battled it out, but the game’s most talked-about moment involved a potential penalty decision that has raised questions about the effectiveness of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

Referee Chris Kavanagh found himself at the center of the storm when he chose not to award Arsenal a penalty for a challenge by Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez on Gabriel Jesus during Saturday’s encounter.

The match saw Chelsea take a two-goal lead with goals from Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk, only for Arsenal to mount a comeback, ultimately securing a point thanks to strikes from Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard.

However, it was the Sanchez challenge on Jesus that left many football fans and pundits perplexed.

This incident bore a striking resemblance to a previous controversy earlier in the season, involving Andre Onana of Manchester United, who collided with two opposition players inside the penalty area during a match against Wolves.

Howard Webb, the Chief of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), had already issued a public apology to Wolves’ manager Gary O’Neil earlier in the season after officials failed to award a penalty during their 1-0 defeat, promising to learn from the mistake.

Yet, the incident in the Arsenal vs. Chelsea game has raised questions about whether any lessons were actually learned.

Sanchez appeared to clear out both Gabriel Jesus and Levi Colwill in his attempt to win the ball inside his penalty area, leading many to believe that a penalty should have been given.

The controversy didn’t stop with the VAR decision. Pundits and fans alike expressed their astonishment at the failure to award the penalty.

Alan Shearer, the legendary Newcastle striker and Match of the Day pundit, didn’t mince his words. “They should have had a penalty. There’s no doubt about it,” Shearer exclaimed.

He highlighted the dangerous nature of the challenge, emphasizing that Sanchez made contact with Jesus’s head while being nowhere near the ball.

Shearer also criticized Sanchez for a mistake that led to Arsenal’s first goal. The goalkeeper’s error allowed Declan Rice to seize possession in his own half, ultimately leading to Arsenal’s goal.

Shearer questioned Sanchez’s decision-making, stating,

“They had to rely on a mistake from Sanchez. I mean, what on earth is he doing there? I haven’t got a clue. Just clear it and get rid of it.”

The incident in the Arsenal vs. Chelsea clash has reignited the ongoing debate over the effectiveness and consistency of VAR in the Premier League, leaving fans and football experts divided on whether the technology is truly serving the game’s best interests.