Arsenal vs Manchester United: Emery reacts to 1-1 draw
Mark Clattenburg believes Arsenal were lucky Kevin Friend delayed blowing his whistle to ensure Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equaliser stood against Manchester United last night.
The Gabon striker netted impressively but was flagged offside by Scott Ledger.
However replays showed Aubameyang to be well onside with VAR being used perfectly to hand the Gunners the goal.
And former referee Clattenburg has praised Friend for not blowing his whistle as soon as the flag went up.
He told the Daily Mail: “The decision to flag Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for offside was an incredibly poor one from assistant referee Scott Ledger, who was perfectly in line and perhaps lost concentration.
“But this is why VAR is so important. Aubameyang was so far onside, it would have been a scandal if Arsenal had not drawn level at Old Trafford.
“Luckily, referee Kevin Friend delayed his whistle because if he had blown it before the ball had gone into the net, he would have had to disallow it.
“Thankfully for Arsenal, he waited, meaning VAR could check and overrule the incorrect call. This was a lesson for all referees in delaying blowing your whistles.
“This can also be a lesson for assistants in delaying raising their flags.
Mark Clattenburg has given his verdict on the VAR decisions last night (Image: GETTY)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised for Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal: Pepe will NOT live up to price tag says Aliadiere
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“Ledger waited until Aubameyang struck his shot to lift his when he should have waited until the goal was scored.
“Overall, VAR saved the officials from an embarrassing decision, and Arsenal from having their equaliser wrongly taken away from them.”
United boss Solskjaer felt the whistle was blown before the ball was put into the back of the net immediately after.
And he also felt Ashley Young stopped when he saw the flag raised.
Solskjaer said: “Ashley [Young] certainly holds his hand up because he’s looking at the linesman and maybe hesitates a little bit.
Sead Kolasinac got away with a handball for Arsenal at Man Utd (Image: GETTY)
Trending
“Maybe he could have put a block in - that probably would have helped David [De Gea], but it’s no consolation for us now because it’s a perfectly good goal for them. He probably should have kept the flag down.
”It made an impact on the situation by raising the flag. When it's that way, you could wait and then do it later.“
United return to action on Thursday against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.
Arsenal take on Standard Liege in the same competition.