Former Premier League ref claims VAR should have ruled out Bournemouth's quick-fire goal against Arsenal

Ex-Premier League referee Graham Poll has claimed that VAR should have ruled out Bournemouth's first goal against Arsenal.

Philip Billing scored after just nine seconds, gifting the Cherries a shock lead at the Emirates.

Marcos Senesi added a second around the hour mark to seemingly put a dent in Arsenal's title hopes.

However, the Gunners' didn't give up, coming back to win 3-2 courtesy of goals from Thomas Partey, Ben White and a dramatic stoppage time winner from Reiss Nelson.

However, Poll has since revealed that Billing's early goal should not have stood.

Poll calls out VAR

Poll stated that VAR missed the fact that Bournemouth had some players inside the Gunners’ half at the start of the match. If this had been spotted, kick-off would have had to be re-taken.

He stated (quotes via BettingSites.co.uk): “This happens in a vast number of games but a goal does not follow within 10 seconds and so the offence goes unnoticed and unpunished.

"Had the player who encroached the most, Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth number 24), been the player who scored there could well have been an intervention by VAR but with Howard Webb now in charge we will only see less technical offences that are missed being corrected.”

Poll added: “Had the game finished 0-1 there could have been more criticism but that’s how luck plays a massive part in a referee’s career.

"But it didn’t and if, like me, you want your football games to flow, you would applaud Webb’s approach; however I do expect him to have a word in Kavanagh’s ear to be more vigilant at set pieces.”

Gunners fans also thought they were owed a penalty after defender Chris Mepham appeared to handle the ball inside the 18-yard-box. But a VAR review declared it legal.

Just a few weeks ago, VAR failed to spot Brentford’s Christian Norgaard in an offside position before he set up Ivan Toney to score a late equaliser.

The game ended 1-1 which ultimately cost Arsenal two crucial points in their bid to lift the Premier League trophy this season.

It was later revealed that VAR official, Lee Mason forgot to draw the lines for offside when checking the goal, leading to Mason’s mutually agreed exit from the PGMOL.

Topics: Football, Arsenal, Bournemouth, Premier League, VAR

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno