Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall has criticised the "unacceptable" use of technology in the Women's Champions League following his side's narrow defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
The Gunners travelled to Germany buoyed by two consecutive victories in the Women's Super League, however Lea Schuller's 39th-minute bullet header saw them fall behind at the Allianz Arena. England international Georgia Stanway nearly doubled Bayern's tally with a long-range strike, while Arsenal's Caitlin Foord almost restored parity when her curling effort hit the post just after half-time.
Despite a wave of late pressure, Arsenal were unable to find a leveller, however Eidevall believes his side were denied two clear penalties in the game. The first appeal came when Caitlin Foord's shot looked to have been blocked by Glodis Viggosdottir's arm early on, while defender Rafaelle Souza's shirt was seemingly pulled just moments before Stina Blackstenius had an effort cleared off the line.
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There also appeared to be a deliberate pass back to the goalkeeper after Williamson's shot was desperately hooked away from the six-yard box after the break. VAR was in use in the quarter-finals, after having been absent from the group stages, but no on-field reviews took place.
Furthermore, goal-line technology - which is not compulsory in the competition - was not in use at the Allianz, something which Eidevall believes is "a problem".
"We have to accept it," Eidevall said in his post-match press conference. "VAR is only introduced in the quarter-finals.
"I don't know then if the referees have ever used it before. Goalline technology you can use, but it's not compulsory. [On Tuesday] it was not because Bayern chose not to pay for it.
"Next week, Arsenal choose to, because we think it's the right thing to do to ensure a fair competition. But I think it's a problem for the competition that not every game has the same level of technology.
"Goalline technology for me is an easy one. Everyone will benefit to know if the ball is in or not. It's so hard for the referee to see it with the angles and we know it's accurate. That's what the players deserve - to get that level of detail and accuracy in the decisions."
Reflecting on his side's overall performance, Eidevall added: "Part of me is proud because the performance was really strong coming here to the Allianz Arena.
"Part of me is disappointed with the result and that we couldn't take our chances. Part of me is angry because the VAR clearly wasn't working tonight as it's clear and obvious penalty situations - two of them - and I think that's unacceptable."
Arsenal have exited the competition at the quarter-final stage in their previous three European campaigns but will hope to avoid that fate when they host Bayern in the second leg at the Emirates on Wednesday, March 29.
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