Former Premier League referee, Mike Dean has weighed in on two controversial incidents that marred Arsenal's thrilling 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday, as Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag voiced his displeasure with three refereeing decisions that went against his team.
The first of the contentious incidents involved a penalty claim by Manchester United's new recruit, Rasmus Hojlund, and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
Speaking to Sky Sports about this incident, Dean stated, "I don't think that's a penalty. I think it's just good, strong defending. They're both tussling for it, and his [Gabriel's] arms are there, but if you look at another angle, Hojlund has got hold of his left arm, so he's kind of pulling the defender down. I'd be more than happy with that decision".
Dean's explanation sheds light on the intricate nature of decisions in football, where physical battles often blur the lines between fair play and fouls.
However, The second pivotal moment came when Alejandro Garnacho's 88th-minute goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Casemiro's precise pass put Garnacho through to score, but the VAR analysis determined that he was marginally offside.
Dean elaborated on this incident, saying, "His shoulder's offside, and that's what they've given. I understand where the manager's coming from because the angle there is not ideal, but we've got the technology in the hub to put the lines in the correct position, and it looked offside at normal speed".
Moreover, VAR technology has been a topic of debate in football, with its precision sometimes causing frustration among players, managers, and fans. In this case, the tight offside decision played a pivotal role in the outcome of the match.
Erik ten Hag's disappointment with these refereeing decisions reflects the intensity and passion of top-tier football, where every call can have a significant impact on the game's outcome.
As teams continue to battle for supremacy in the Premier League, the role of VAR and the interpretation of on-field incidents will remain a topic of discussion and scrutiny throughout the season
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