Referees changed the rules, says Mikel Arteta after Brentford draw

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By Martin Graham | 13th Feb 2023

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has accused the referees of changing the rules after his side failed to pick up all three points against the visiting Brentford on Saturday in the Premier League.

The draw sees Arsenal’s lead extended to only six points and gives Manchester City the opportunity to come within three points of the top spot when they face Aston Villa later on Sunday.

It also gives Brentford huge bragging rights as they are the only club to take points off every team in the league’s big six. Arsenal almost escaped them, having beaten the Bees 3 – 0 at home, but the visitors fought back to a 1 – 1 draw at the Emirates to officially complete the round.

The equalising goal, however, is a controversial one with a possible offside call being ignored to let Ivan Toney’s goal stand.

Information after the match suggested that the VAR operator failed to draw the offside lines in informing the goal, leading to the decision to award it. It is a big call that has affected Arsenal’s title chances and everyone at the club is rightfully livid.

Mikel Arteta has spoken out on the incident and accused the referees of changing the rules to disenfranchise his team in their historic title run.

“I just looked back and it is offside yes,” Arteta said. “They will probably give an explanation later in the week. Today we haven’t got one.

“You have to apply certain principles in defending and you do that by sticking to the rules. Suddenly you change the rules and then you have to change your principles.

“So tell us before so then you don’t hide the line that high, because you’re always going to have an advantage if you get blocked.”

Arteta also stated that the club will discuss the incident with the Premier League leadership but also admitted that it may be too late as goal decisions tend to never be overruled after games.

“Yeah we always assess the game with them and we give our views and our points. But it’s too late,” he said.

In the meantime, he will be monitoring his former boss Pep Guardiola who is taking on the man he succeeded at Arsenal, Unai Emery, as City host Aston Villa at the Etihad.

It is a match of great importance to Arsenal following the outcome of their match with Brentford and they will be hoping for the same kind of luck that helped them stay safe after their loss to Everton last weekend.

This will also give Arteta some insight into how to approach Manchester City when they travel to the Etihad later in the week for their game in hand against the reigning champions.