Arsenal dropped two points in the title race after a 1-1 draw against Brentford, however, new evidence seems to suggest that VAR official Lee Mason forgot to simply to do his job, costing the Gunners dearly.
According to the Daily Mail, the Manchester-born referee forgot to draw offside lines in Ivan Toney’s equalising goal despite Christian Norgaard being off in assisting the England international, with Mason simply not doing the one job he was there to do at Stockley Park.
Exc: VAR Lee Mason forgot to draw offside lines on Ivan Toney's equaliser in a mistake that could have a huge impact on Arsenal's title hopes.
— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) February 11, 2023
Christian Norgaard was offside. Had the lines been drawn, the goal would have been disallowed.#AFChttps://t.co/V2woDadQpF
With Manchester City having the chance to overtake Arsenal with a win today against Aston Villa and potentially on Wednesday night against the Gunners, these two dropped points could be huge for Mikel Arteta’s side in the long-term as the 40-year-old manager looks to bring a Premier League title to north London.
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The gravity of such a mistake cannot be underestimated here, with Mason’s horrific error something that could realistically cost Arsenal the title and will once again add another black mark to the Premier League’s use of VAR, which this weekend has already seen a comedy of mistakes.
Indeed, Arsenal fans were fuming about the bombshell report last night, and on social media, fans were quick to make their opinions be heard over Mason’s schoolboy mistake, which could now cost the Gunners a Premier League title nearly two-decades in the making.
Here’s what some Arsenal fans had to say on Twitter about the Daily Mail’s report on Mason simply forgetting to do his job in yesterday’s draw against Brentford…
Absolutely outrageous, scandalous. How many times now this season.
— Darren (@DarrenArsenal1) February 12, 2023
He was a shocking ref, now being shocking on VAR. Fire him! https://t.co/K9JIGP6HZk
Name any other job in the world where you can get away with this kind of incompetence. https://t.co/s2CZSRWPgj
— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) February 12, 2023
It's not a mistake it's pure corruption. If everyone in the world can see its offside but the people who are paid to see it then there is something seriously wrong 🔴⚪ https://t.co/UNYRGRmr6O
— PAUL McG AFC ☘️🔴⚪ (@Afcpmg) February 12, 2023
You couldn’t make this up
— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) February 12, 2023
The same Lee Mason recalled the Martinelli goal at Utd which the PGMOL admitted was an error by VAR n should have stood
It’s a conspiracy against Arsenal cause no one in a seat of huge decision making importance could be THIS moronic or incompetent https://t.co/UfmkkcA5Rf
I’m not even being biased here but surely that goal should be revoked if this is the case? https://t.co/okKKPNqAeV
— . (@InvertedBall) February 12, 2023
This is beyond incompetency it is a refusal to carry out the basic duties of officiating.
— George (@GeorgeV_AFC) February 11, 2023
It’s got to the point that a full scale cleanse is required with an independent panel evaluating performance- this stuff matters & costs millions. https://t.co/Kfs9NlDOqp