Mikel Arteta wants 'two points' back and rejects Arsenal VAR cock-up was 'human error'

Mikel Arteta described Lee Mason's 'human error' for Brentford's equaliser as 'unacceptable'

Mikel Arteta has stated he will “only be satisfied” if his Arsenal side are given two points back after a VAR error robbed them of a win against Brentford on Saturday.

The Gunners suffered a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to the Bees as Ivan Toney scored from close-range, eight minutes after Leandro Trossard’s opener. Toney was in fact offside, but VAR operator Lee Mason shockingly did not draw the guidelines to check the legitimacy of the goal.

Referees’ body PGMOL have since contacted Arsenal to apologise while blaming “human error” for the incident which could prove costly to the Gunners’ Premier League title ambitions. But the Arsenal manager remained unimpressed as he deemed the mistake ‘unacceptable’.

A frustrated Arteta said on Tuesday: "It wasn't human error, it was not understanding your job. That's not acceptable, I'm sorry.

"It cost Arsenal two points that are not going to be restored so we are going to have to find those two points somewhere else in the league.”

Arteta went on to add: "We ended the game - after analysing all the evidence we had with the images - with a huge anger and disappointment.

"I will only be satisfied if they give me the two points back, which will not be the case.

"They were sincere, open and genuine apologies and explanation which is really good but it doesn't change the fact we have two less points than we should have in the table.

“We have to move on. That has made the players, staff and our fans stronger to pass this hurdle that they put on us.”

Mason, who became a dedicated VAR this season after his retirement as a referee, has stood down for the next round of fixtures following his outrageous error.

And it wasn’t the only blunder from officials at the weekend, with Brighton also contacted by referee chief Howard Webb for the same conversation. It came as VAR John Brooks wrongly disallowed a goal for the Seagulls against Crystal Palace, with the game ending 1-1.

Brooks was replaced as VAR for Monday’s Merseyside derby and Wednesday night’s top of the table clash between Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Gunners will have to get over the frustration quickly as they face a monumental test at the Emirates Stadium. Just three points separate the Gunners and last year’s champions, who will go first on goal difference if they secure a victory against their former assistant manager Arteta.