There was plenty of confusion when Howard Webb appeared on Sky Sports’ broadcast as VAR pored over a potential red card for William Saliba. The Arsenal defender was initially given a yellow card after hauling down Evanilson, who seemed the favourite to reach the ball and race through on goal.
Referee Rob Jones was invited to watch a replay of the footage by VAR official Jarred Gillett. He returned to brandish a red card in Saliba’s direction, a familiar theme for Arsenal who have seen red on three occasions this season.
A shot of Webb on the live television broadcast seemed to show him in communication via a phone with a wire wrapped over his shoulder and placed in his ear. That prompted speculation that the PGMOL chief was involved in the discussion with Jones and VAR.
However, Express Sport understands that assumption is wide of the mark.
Webb, who attends many matches throughout the Premier League season, can hear what is being said by the match officials. He is provided with the same feed that commentators and pundits are able to hear during games, but which is not available to supporters either inside the stadium or watching on TV.
The former top-flight and World Cup referee has no input in decisions and is unable to speak with the officials. It is simply standard protocol for key PGMOL staff and referee coaches positioned in the stands to be able to hear what is being said by the officials involved in matches.
That can partially be used for educational purposes. Webb has attempted to improve the clarity of conversations between on-field officials and those in the VAR hub at Stockley Park.
At Bournemouth, the conclusion was that Saliba had denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. It was a key incident in the game and changed the momentum – but it was ultimately the correct decision and a successful use of the technology.
Bournemouth went on to inflict Arsenal’s first defeat of the Premier League season. Just moments after Gabriel Martinelli had been denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ryan Christie thumped home the opening goal from a clever corner routine.
Justin Kluivert then scored a penalty after Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya felled Evanilson.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was unhappy with the red card issued to Saliba, saying: “It was a decision made on the pitch, that decision was changed. I don’t think it will change twice.”
Asked how the red card changed the course of match, the Spaniard added: “Absolutely. We are very disappointed with the result and gutted because we had to play in that context again. It’s an accident waiting to happen not to get the points in this context. I cannot fault the team for the way they approached it. Tonight we made two big errors that cost the game.”
