Arsenal given new reason to fume at VAR as Liverpool make mockery of new Premier League rule

Arsenal have slipped even further behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race after the Reds beat Crystal Palace 1-0

It's fair to say Arsenal have had a number of run-ins with referees and VARs this season so far. The Gunners have been reduced to ten men on two separate occasions this season for kicking the ball away.

First Declan Rice saw red against Brighton and then Leandro Trossard was given his marching orders against Manchester City. Arsenal were leading both matches before having to settle for a point.

There have been other grievances over the past season or so too. Gunners full-back Benjamin White has made a name for himself over the past few seasons for his behaviour from set-pieces.

With set-piece coach Nicolas Jover working his magic, Arsenal have become one of the most potent teams from corners and free-kicks and one of the most stringent at defending them too.

Blocking has become a common theme when it comes to dealing with goalkeepers at corners and free-kicks. But the Premier League introduced a new rule this summer to try and combat that.

The new rule as reported by The Times at the beginning of the season stated: “The offence of holding (ie blocking or obstructing) will be penalised more stringently in set-pieces when an attacker is trying to stop the movement of an opponent."

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Arsenal have been penalised for this in the past, often with White doing the dirty work in the area. But they may feel aggrieved at Liverpool getting away with one in the early clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Gunners will be locked in a battle with Liverpool and Manchester City for much of this season as the trio look the most likely to win the Premier League title. And Liverpool 'got away with one' on Saturday lunchtime tio secure all three points and move four clear of the Gunners and City ahead of their weekend games.

Virgial van Dijk was clearly seen holding onto the arm of Marc Guehi as he tried to latch onto a Trevoh Chalobah knock-on in the box. Chalobah himself was being held somewhat by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Premier League Match Centre on social media - set up to explain contentious decisions quickly this season - released their statement after it happened. It read: "The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by van Dijk on Guéhi is checked and confirmed by VAR - deeming that the challenge was not sustained holding and had no impact on the play."

To most it looked like there was 'sustained holding' of Guehi by Van Dijk. TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole said: "I really think that’s a penalty."

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