PIERRE-EMERICK Aubameyang feels the use of VAR in the Premier League means goalscorers cannot celebrate fully until their strike is ratified by the technology.
Aubameyang’s equaliser earned Arsenal a 1-1 draw away to Manchester United on Monday, the striker cancelling out a first-half drive from Scott McTominay.
The Gabon international was flagged offside by the assistant but stayed cool to run on to Bukayo Saka’s pass to beat David de Gea.
Aubameyang’s seventh goal of the season means he has become the first Arsenal player to score as many goals in the Gunners’ first seven Premier League games of a campaign since Dennis Bergkamp in 1997-98.
But he had to wait for VAR to overrule the linesman’s decision, with replays clearly indicating Harry Maguire was playing Aubameyang onside after Axel Tuanzebe gave the ball away.
“Bukayo gave me a great pass, I was sure I was not offside,” Aubameyang said to Sky Sports.
I was surprised the referee whistled but I always try to score, even if there is a whistle.
“I just heard the crowd saying it was offside but then it was close so I was happy.
“It’s always a bit, I don’t know… a strange feeling.
“You cannot celebrate 100% but it’s OK, I’m happy all the same.”
De Gea appeared to stop when the flag went up but the United goalkeeper had no arguments about VAR’s decision to give the goal.
“We know there’s VAR,” he told Sky Sports.
“If it’s offside, it’s offside, we need to keep focused and it’s a goal for them, we need to learn from that mistake.”
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VAR ruined the beautiful game as a spectacle and nobody has the liathrodi to say it!! #joyless
@Shane Kelly: and without it, Arsenal would have lost 1-0 because the linesman didn’t see Harry Maguire standing 6 inches in front of him and fans would be furious. It did it’s job today, which I hate to admit as a United fan
@Rocky: 6 inches is being very fair to the linesman. It was about 2 meters!
@Rocky: no, no. If no VAR he would not have upped his flag. I honestly think officials just do this now because they can and know that this cursed VAR can right a wrong. Waiting for worse than this to happen. If you look for trouble you’ll be sure to get it.
What is this lad raving about? If there was no var he would not have been celebrating at all as yet another home decision was made at old trafford only to be reversed by the technology. Tbf the only place it is working properly is offsides as the officials don’t seem to mind the linesman being over ruled, no way will they have a refs decisions questioned though.