Change is set to adorn the Emirates Stadium during Arsenal’s EFL Cup semi-final clash against Newcastle United.
The Gunners reached the semi-final of the EFL Cup after beating Crystal Palace in the quarters in front of a home crowd.
Arsenal drew Newcastle in the semi-final, which will be a two-leg tie to determine which club makes it to Wembley Stadium.
Either Arsenal or Newcastle will head to Wembley to face one of Liverpool or Tottenham, in what is a chance of silverware for Mikel Arteta.
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PGMOL announce EFL Cup semi-final VAR change
The cup competition is a great opportunity for Arteta to test the fringe players of his squad, with Ethan Nwaneri shining in the EFL Cup in the opening two rounds.
Gabriel Jesus netted a hat-trick against Palace in the quarter-finals however, the Brazilian got lucky when he netted one of his trio.
Jesus could’ve been ruled offside for one goal but he wasn’t, because VAR isn’t used in the EFL Cup until the semi-final stages.
With the controversial PGMOL aid set to return as Arsenal face Newcastle, further change is expected, as was announced on Monday.
PGMOL announced that for the first time in English football, in-stadium VAR announcements will be trialled in the EFL Cup semi-finals.
In a statement, the referee board relayed the following:
“A first in English football, referees will announce the final decision following a visit to the VAR pitchside monitor or upon the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside offences where the attacker touches the ball.
“The trial, which forms part of our broader commitment to transparency including providing greater clarity and understanding around key decisions, will run over both legs of the Arsenal v Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool ties.”
Why isn’t VAR used in every EFL Cup game?
Arsenal were lucky that Jesus got his hat-trick in the quarter-final, as VAR actually helped the Gunners.
The same can’t be said about luck in the Premier League as Arsenal have been unhappy with PGMOL for several reasons already this season.
As the semi-finals fast approach, with two ties made up of four Premier League teams, VAR will be re-introduced into the competition, but why was it not there before?
The decision is made by the EFL, who opt not to use the technology on the grounds that not every club in the competition has the facilities to install the system at their stadiums.
For example, last season, Championship side Middlesbrough reached the semi-final, where VAR was not used until the final due to the fact that their home stadium could not facilitate the technology.
In the semi-final, the Emirates will debut the VAR announcements, in what many will hope will be a drama-free installation from PGMOL.
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