Premier League issue statement on VAR controversy in Arsenal vs Liverpool

Arsenal enjoyed a sensational opening 45 minutes against Liverpool with goals from Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino but there was controversy surrounding the Spanish midfielder's strike

Mikel Merino was ONSIDE despite a lengthy VAR check in Arsenal's clash with Liverpool.

The Spanish midfielder restored the Gunners' lead against the Reds with a stunning header. The former Real Sociedad star connected with Declan Rice's stunning delivery and scored emphatically.

VAR paused the game for a lengthy check but Merino was kept marginally onside by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. And the Premier League have now clarified why the game was paused for so long.

A Premier League statement read: "The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as there were no attackers in an offside position."

The decision allowed Merino to celebrate his first goal since moving to Arsenal in the summer. It was also crucial for the Gunners as they reclaimed the lead against Liverpool after Bukayo Saka and Van Dijk had exchanged strikes.

The marginal offside decision was not the only VAR intervention during the first-half between Arsenal and Liverpool. The Gunners also thought they were deserving of a penalty for Ibrahima Konate's challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.

But the referee was not interested - and VAR also deemed the challenge not worthy of a spot kick. Another Premier League statement read: "The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by Konate on Martinelli was checked and confirmed by VAR - deeming that Konate won the ball."

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VAR drama was not just restricted to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Erik ten Hag's Manchester United were also on the wrong end of a debatable decision.

Matthijs de Ligt's late challenge on Danny Ings was deemed not worthy of a penalty - only for VAR to intervene. A spot-kick was eventually awarded and scored by Hammers forward Jarrod Bowen.

And the Premier League attempted to explain the incident in the immediate aftermath. A statement read: "The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by de Ligt on Ings. The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty."

Erik ten Hag was left furious at the decision. He said: "Three times this season we feel injustice. Before the season there was the instruction about VAR only interfering in clear and obvious mistakes. That is definitely not a clear and obvious mistake from the on field referee.

"More frustrations but I can do nothing with that. They don't collect points and that's what we have to do. We have to look in the mirror, we don't score in a good game from our side.”

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