Mueez Ajao
– Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has accused officials of “changing the rules” after claiming Brentford’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium should have been ruled out for offside.
– The Gunners had taken the lead in the second half when Leandro Trossard scored his first goal for the club.
– But Ivan Toney levelled when he nodded in Christian Norgaard’s cross from close range.
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– “I just looked back and it is offside, yes,” said Arteta.
– Toney’s celebrations were delayed for a lengthy check by the video assistant referee (VAR).
– Norgaard appeared to be offside in the build-up to the 74th-minute goal, while there was a suggestion Ethan Pinnock blocked Gabriel Magalhaes while in an offside position prior to that.
– However, the decision to award the equaliser stood, leaving Arteta frustrated.
– “The action when you get blocked when you are offside – you cannot block if you are offside,” the Arsenal boss added.
– “You have to apply certain principles in defending and you do that by sticking to the rules. Suddenly you change the rules and then you have to change your principles.
– “So tell us before, so then you don’t hide the line that high, because you’re always going to have an advantage if you get blocked.”
– On the controversial strike, Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “I agree that when they kicked the ball, Ethan (Pinnock) is in an offside position.
– “Then, as far as I know the football laws, the next question is did he influence the cross? They decided it was not enough and I agree.”
– The point meant Arsenal are now six points clear of Manchester City, who play Aston Villa on Sunday and then visit the Gunners on Wednesday.
