Unai Emery Praises Officials And Celebrates Impending Introduction Of VAR

By The Editor
on 2nd March 2019

Unai Emery says the officials managed the game with a “big personality”…

Arsenal head coach Unai Emery refused to criticise the officials after our controversial draw at Spurs and welcomed the impending introduction of VAR.

Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot after an innocuous challenge from Shkodran Mustafi on Harry Kane and to make matters worse, replays showed that the England man was offside from the free-kick.

While Taylor eventually evened things up by awarding us a spot-kick in the final minutes of the game which Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed, we should’ve left Wembley with all three points irrespective of that unfortunate flashpoint.

Spurs have been receiving favourable treatment in recent weeks with many stunned at Kane and Mauricio Pochettino’s involvement in the game given their disciplinary scares.

Pochettino has had his ban delayed after confronting Mike Dean following last weekend’s defeat at Burnley and Kane escaped any punishment despite launching a headbutt in the direction of Cesar Azpilicueta during Wednesday London derby.

However, despite the opportunity to do so, Emery decided against launching a tirade towards the officials and instead reaffirmed his happiness at VAR’s arrival next season.

“One month ago I said to everybody my opinion,” Emery told BT Sport.

“VAR is coming for the referees. It is very difficult for the referees.

“You can analyse with the TV and it is very easy. VAR is for them and, with it, maybe the match is different.

“For me, the referee had a big personality for two teams. I like this man here to be the referee.”

Emery’s dignity is admirable, but one imagines that there are only a certain number of injustices a manager can take before he loses it with the officials.

We now prepare for our Europa League last-16 tie at Rennes on Thursday before hosting Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium for yet another huge clash.