Premier League Admits VAR Error in Arsenal Win After Maatsen Challenge

The Premier League has accepted that Aston Villa defender Ian Maatsen should have conceded a penalty and been sent off during Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Villa Park last month, with VAR wrongly allowing the decision to stand.

Panel finds penalty and second yellow were missed

The Key Match Incidents Panel ruled that Maatsen’s stoppage-time challenge on Bruno Guimaraes was reckless. Maatsen did not play the ball and made clear contact with Guimaraes’ standing leg, the panel concluded.

Referee Jarred Gillett rejected appeals for a spot-kick on the pitch, while VAR official James Bell reviewed the incident without advising an on-field review. The panel judged both decisions to be incorrect.

It also found Maatsen should have received a second yellow card for the tackle. Had Gillett been sent to the monitor, he would have been able to award the penalty and dismiss the Villa player.

VAR threshold did not prevent intervention

The Premier League said its VAR model is built around a high bar for involvement, with video officials not intended to re-officiate subjective calls. Clear evidence is required before a referee is asked to reconsider a decision.

But the league acknowledged that this was an occasion when the standard for intervention had been reached. The failure to award a penalty was judged a clear and obvious error, meaning Bell should have recommended that Gillett review the footage.

Villa benefited from the missed call on the day, with Maatsen staying on the field and remaining available for selection afterwards. The admission will add to scrutiny of VAR consistency in the coming weeks.

How the incident unfolded

1. Arsenal led through Bukayo Saka’s second-half goal at Villa Park.
2. During added time, Maatsen slid in on Guimaraes without getting the ball.
3. Gillett waved play on and Bell did not send the referee to the monitor.
4. The KMI Panel later determined that Arsenal should have had a penalty and Maatsen should have been shown a second booking.

Result stood as Arsenal maintained momentum

Arsenal still left Villa Park with all three points after Saka’s decisive strike sealed a 1-0 victory. They then followed that result by beating Chelsea 2-1 in their third league match of the campaign.

• The match result will not be changed despite the officiating error.
• Maatsen avoided a dismissal that the panel believes should have been issued.
• The Premier League accepts VAR should have triggered an on-field review.
• Arsenal’s win remained intact and was followed by victory over Chelsea.