Mark Clattenburg says VAR was actually invented because of what Arsenal legend did

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Mikel Arteta has one of Arsenal’s greatest ever players to blame next time the Gunners are at the heart of a VAR controversy.

Arsenal have fallen victim to many controversial VAR calls, but have also benefited from some too.

Since the system was introduced in the Premier League in 2019, it’s been a point of discussion week by week, both positive and negative.

Though on numerous occasions, Arsenal fans have felt violated by VAR, the system was implemented for the greater good, with one former Gunner at the heart of the reasons for its introduction.

Thierry Henry’s infamous handball against Ireland in 2009 during the 2010 World Cup Qualifier play-off was one atrocity that led the footballing world to the conclusion that help was needed.

• READ MORE: Gary Lineker gave damning VAR assessment after Arsenal penalty call, it ‘can never work…’

Mark Clattenburg says Thierry Henry was one reason why VAR was implemented

The injustice cost the Republic of Ireland a spot at the 2010 World Cup, but it wasn’t the only repercussion that came from the moment of refereeing madness. 

Speaking on the Beyond The Back Four podcast, legendary former referee Mark Clattenburg explained how Henry ‘changed’ the mindset of many at Ireland’s expense. 

“It came about because there were so many decisions, and one that came in particular that changed everyone’s mindset was the Thierry Henry handball,” Clattenburg explained.

“That was the pivotal moment where football decided that they couldn’t have the Irish team not qualifying for a tournament where there were such huge stakes and a mistake from the referee.

“The goal was given, and everyone felt it was unjust, and they were trying to find a system they could work with.”

The moment was one that was a stain on football forever, something that time couldn’t overwrite, with VAR coming into play in full force in the Premier League a decade later.

Arsene Wenger said Thierry Henry was the ‘biggest loser’ from Ireland handball

Ireland’s pain from the handball fuelled a fireball headed in Henry’s direction, as the Arsenal legend was painted in a negative light for his role in William Gallas’ goal. 

An ugly situation was made uglier as fingers were pointed at Henry, something that prompted Arsene Wenger to go public with his support for Arsenal’s record goalscorer. 

“Thierry Henry was the big loser in this story,” Wenger said at the time. 

“If he had come out [at the time] and said it was handball, half of France would have said, ‘How crazy is he, not to get us to the World Cup?’ If he doesn’t say it straight away, he is also guilty.”

Wenger was one figure who wanted the game replayed, reiterating that it was a mistake at the highest level of football, rather than merely one on the pitch.

“The problem is not Thierry Henry; it is above Thierry Henry. He played here for 10 years and has always been super fair.

“He has come out and said, ‘I made a mistake, I touched the ball with my hand’. That is honest. Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again because we could see it every week.”

A moment of poor judgment from Martin Hansson inflated into a far larger issue, one that has changed how football is officiated forever.