VAR Analysis: Why were Arsenal denied a penalty against Nottingham Forest?

Arsenal were held to a goalless draw in Premier League gameweek 22, their first 0-0 result since the 2012/13 season. The main controversy of the match came in the 80th minute, when Forest defender Ola Aina appeared to make contact with the ball using his arm inside the penalty area. Arsenal players immediately appealed, but the referee waved play on and VAR did not intervene.

After the match, the Premier League Match Centre clarified the decision. In a statement, it said: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Arsenal was checked and confirmed by VAR, with it deemed that the ball was played off Aina’s shoulder first, while his arm was also in a natural position.”

Despite the explanation, Arteta expressed his frustration at full-time. “We came here to win the game, that’s clear, and we needed the opportunities that we had,” he said. “We haven’t managed that, so the word is disappointment. We haven’t conceded anything, any single shot again, and generated four massive chances with Martinelli with an open goal, with Declan Rice, Merino and then Bukayo Saka’s header with an unbelievable save, and on top of that, a very clear penalty as well that has not been given.”

The decision has divided opinion among former referees. Keith Hackett, ex-FIFA referee and former PGMOL chief, believed Arsenal should have been awarded a spot-kick. Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “The player has deliberately moved his hand towards the ball and committed a handling offence. Therefore, a penalty kick should have been awarded. You should regard the shoulder as part of the body, just like the foot. This is not a deflection off the body, but a deliberate play. A penalty should have been awarded.”

However, former Premier League referee Andy Davies offered a more nuanced view. Speaking on ESPN, Davies explained that on-field referee Michael Oliver did not have a clear view of the incident, leaving the decision largely in the hands of VAR official Darren England. After a careful review, England concluded that the ball had struck Aina’s shoulder first.

Davies agreed that the shoulder contact was a key factor but suggested other elements also needed consideration. “Neither of these considerations was enough to negate the deliberate secondary movement of his arm to play and ultimately control the ball in an attempt to keep the ball in play,” he said. “England clearly felt that there were too many ‘possibles’ and not enough ‘definites’ in this incident and therefore didn’t feel it met the criteria for an obvious error - an outcome that will certainly divide opinion.”

The draw meant Arsenal missed the opportunity to extend their lead over Manchester City to nine points. Nevertheless, Arteta’s side remain top of the Premier League table. Arsenal will next face Inter Milan in the Champions League on 20 January, followed by a league clash with Manchester United on 25 January, before concluding the Champions League Swiss Stage against Kairat on 29 January.