Arsenal bemoan VAR inconsistency after Man City defeat

Stuivenberg says Arsenal were denied a 'clear penalty' when City goalkeeper Ederson challenged Martin Odegaard in the first half

Manchester City's Rodri celebrates his injury-time winner against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, January 1, 2022. EPA

Rodri celebrates with his Manchester City teammates after scoring the winner against Arsenal on Saturday. EPA

Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne stands amid bottles and debris thrown by spectators after Rodri's winner at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. AFP

Manchester City's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne vies with Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu. AFP

Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal and Ruben Dias of Manchester City collide at the Emirates Stadium. Getty

Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City scores the equaliser. EPA

Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring his team's first goal. Reuters

Arsenal's defender Gabriel receives a red card at the Emirates Stadium. AFP

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka scores his team's opener. Reuters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shakes hands with Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg. Getty

Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg has called for more consistency in the use of pitchside VAR monitor checks for penalties after their 2-1 Premier League home defeat by Manchester City on Saturday.

Arsenal took the lead through Bukayo Saka and the visitors equalised with a penalty when Granit Xhaka was adjudged to have fouled City's Bernardo Silva in the box after a VAR review. A stoppage-time goal from Rodri sealed the result.

Stuivenberg said Arsenal, who played the last half hour with 10 men after defender Gabriel was sent off, were denied a "clear penalty" when City goalkeeper Ederson challenged Martin Odegaard in the first half. However, referee Stuart Attwell did not review the incident on the VAR.

"I think [it] is a clear penalty or at least a moment for the referee to check," said Stuivenberg, standing in for manager Mikel Arteta who had tested positive for Covid-19.

"That happened in the second half with their penalty which is not really consistent," he said.

"But we still had a very good performance against a very strong team in how we defended with 10 players.

"We are very proud of what we have seen from this Arsenal team. You compare it to the start of the season, where we've come from to where we are now, playing against one of the best teams in the world, competing like this ... That is something we can build on."

Arsenal v Man City ratings

ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 7: Good distribution and handling in quiet first-half for Gunners goalkeeper when City failed to register shot on target. Sent wrong way by Mahrez for City penalty and no chance with late winner. Getty

Takehiro Tomiyasu - 8: Japanese right-back back in side after missing Norwich game and, like Tierney on other flank, looked to push forward whenever possible to great success. Crowd favourite who has been a revelation for Arsenal this season. PA

Ben White - 8: One lovely ball over defence to find Tomiyasu out on right. The former Brighton defender won back possession to start move for Saka goal. Fine performance from big-money summer signing who must be wondering how he finished on losing side. Reuters

Gabriel - 5: Swept up well in first few minutes to stop Sterling shooting on goal and had been immaculate at the back until two quick yellow cards – one for scuffing penalty spot ahead of Mahrez penalty, the other an obvious foul on Jesus – in second half meant team was down to 10 men. Crazy from the Brazilian. Getty

Kieran Tierney - 7: Simple but effective pass through to Saka for opening goal, usual dead-ball threat and the width he provided down left caused City problems all afternoon. EPA

Thomas Partey - 8: Nice piece of skill to nutmeg Silva then put ball through to Martinelli who saw shot saved. Distribution and energy from Ghanaian was excellent, while one surging run forward in second half summed up powerhouse show in centre of park. Getty

Granit Xhaka - 8: Along with Partey, made life difficult for City midfielders with a pressing and tackling that characterized Arsenal’s fine first-half. Clumsy shirt pull and challenge on Silva resulted in penalty and booking for Swiss who felt Portuguese had dived.

Bukayo Saka - 8: In-form England attacker put Arsenal in front with excellent first-time low finish into corner. Gave Ake a tough time and City ended up double-teaming Saka after break. Booked for dissent as home tempers frayed after red card. Getty

Martin Odegaard - 7: Claimed he should have had penalty after Ederson challenge but referee and VAR felt keeper had won ball. Key player in superb Arsenal first half performance but was sacrificed for defender after Gabriel red card. AFP

Gabriel Martinelli - 8: Saw toe-poked finish saved by Ederson, curled another shot just over bar and fired another strike wide as Brazilian caused City all sorts of problems in first half. Should have put Arsenal back in front just after Mahrez’s goal when he hit woodwork with goal at mercy. Getty

Alexandre Lacazette - 7: His block on Ake ensured ball found way to Saka for opening goal. Not a sniff of goal from captain but held ball up well and helped keep pressure on City’s defenders. AFP

SUBS: Rob Holding – (On for Odegaard 62’) 6: Brought on after Gabriel sending off and booked himself within minutes for pulling down De Bruyne. EPA

Emile Smith Rowe – (On for Lacazette 71’) 6: Shows Arsenal’s form of late that he was only on bench as was lively after coming on. Getty

Mohamed Elneny – (On for Saka 84’) N/A. Getty

MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson - 7: Risky tackle on Odegaard that Gunners felt should have been penalty but Brazilian took ball first … just. Solid first-half save from Martinelli strike. Miscommunication with Laporte almost lead to own-goal for defender. AFP

Joao Cancelo - 6: Started despite being attacked in robbery just two days ago and had hands full with Tierney and Martinelli marauding down his flank, particularly in first half. AFP

Ruben Dias - 7: Should have opened scoring but headed glorious chance wide after 15 minutes. Acrobatic clearance to deny Lacazette a first-half chance. Reuters

Aymeric Laporte - 6: Will not have been used to being under such pressure as Arsenal’s attackers dominated opening 45 minutes. Nearly headed into own net and needed goalline clearance from Ake in second half.

Nathan Ake - 6: Struggled against the in-form Saka and couldn’t stop Gunners attacker putting team in front. Important headed interception from first-time Tomiyasu cross and his clearance off line stopped Laporte scoring own goal. EPA

Rodri - 7: One beautiful turn and ball forward but not his usual dominant self in midfield in first half. Snatched injury-time winner when he poked home from close range and annoyed Arsenal fans by whipping shirt of and celebrating right in front of them. Reuters

Kevin De Bruyne - 7: Whipped shot wide of target from edge of box in opening 20 minutes. Not his usual threat or impact but his balls into box from wide positions are a constant nightmare for defenders to deal with. PA

Bernardo Silva - 6: Wasn’t allowed time to make mark in first half as City struggled to get foothold . Went down in box under Xhaka challenge and penalty given after referee looked at pitch-side monitor. Became public enemy No 1 with home fans who felt he dived. Booked late on for kicking ball away. AP

Raheem Sterling - 7: Wonderful ball into box to pick out Dias who should have scored in first half and was City’s only attacking threat for first hour of game until sending off changed balance of game. Getty

Riyad Mahrez - 6: No attacking influence in first half and had hands full trying to combat Tierney’s runs down City’s right-flank. Had barely figured until scoring from spot to make it 1-1. Shot into side netting and also could have scored in injury time but miss-controlled on City counter-attack. PA

Gabriel Jesus - 6: Headed early chance wide from inswinging De Bruyne cross but little else of impact. A rare day when City’s service suplly line to attackers was poor. AP

SUBS: Ilkay Gundogan – (On for Jesus 62’) 6: Brought on to try and give City some grip in midfield battle they had been losing, which he did. PA