Arsene Wenger says VAR 'would have changed the history of Arsenal' if it was introduced earlier
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Arsene Wenger has said that VAR would have ‘changed the history of Arsenal Football Club’ if it was introduced earlier.
The former Gunners boss feels that the VAR system would have chalked off Samuel Eto’o’s goal in the 2006 Champions League final.
The final was held in Paris and Arsenal went 1-0 up thanks to Sol Campbell’s goal in the 37th minute.
However, Barcelona managed to turn the game around after they score twice in the last 14 minutes to inflict heartbreak on Arsenal, thanks to goals by Eto’o and Juliano Belletti.
Barcelona won 2-1 and as a result, lifted the famous trophy.
At the time, Barcelona’s equaliser caused major uproar. Former Celtic man Henrik Larsson had played a beautiful through ball into the path of Eto’o, who finished brilliantly past Manuel Almunia.
However, replays showed that Eto’o was slightly offside when the ball was played.
Wenger was asked which game he wishes VAR was used for on BeIN Sports in 2019.
The legendary manager said: “It is the final of the 2006 Champions League, because I think Eto'o's equaliser was offside.
“That would have changed the history of Arsenal Football Club.”
Wenger said after the final in 2006: “It's difficult to accept losing a game any way but worse when you have to accept losing it on a wrong decision.
“The equaliser was offside and it was proven on television. We have to do something about it. It is my biggest regret.
“To play 11 against ten and be on top in that situation, but then to concede an offside goal, is difficult to accept.”
However, having VAR doesn’t necessarily lead to the correct decision being made, as shown in the last round of the Premier League fixtures.
West Ham had a perfectly good goal chalked off after the VAR official felt that Jarrod Bowen had fouled Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, however, replays showed otherwise.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, VAR, Champions League
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