Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Aaron Catterson-Reid

Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger agree on Lee Mason amid major VAR blunder during Arsenal draw

Lee Mason's VAR blunder during Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Brentford on Saturday has infuriated Mikel Arteta and the Gunners faithful.

The north Londoners broke the deadlock in their tense Premier League clash with the Bees as January signing Leandro Trossard poked home Bukayo Saka's low-cross in the 66th minute. Brentford frontman Ivan Toney netted the equaliser just eight minutes later, although it has since been revealed that Mason forgot to draw the relevant offside lines in the build-up to the goal.

Midfielder Christian Norgaard, who assisted Toney, was in fact offside - a blunder that resulted in the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) contacting Arsenal and explaining the significant error. And it turns out this isn't the first time that the north Londoners have been left aggrieved by Mason.

READ MORE: PGMOL chief Howard Webb calls urgent referee meeting as VAR blunder costs Arsenal in title race

Back in 2016, the Gunners played out a 0-0 draw with Southampton and Arsene Wenger, who sat in the Emirates' managerial dugout at the time, took aim at referee Mason after the full-time whistle. “It’s always the same with you,” Wenger said to Mason.

Similarly, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also spoken out about the officiating of Mason. The German was incensed after the Reds had been denied a penalty for what appeared to be a foul on Mohamed Salah during a 1-1 draw with Fulham during the 2020/21 campaign.

Andre Marriner was the referee that day but Klopp singled out Mason, who was in charge of VAR. "What exactly did Lee Mason say?" Klopp asked journalists in his post-match press conference.

"I am not sure what Lee Mason is doing at home but that is not 'normal contact' in football. It’s not a big deal but there is contact and it’s enough contact to get an advantage.

"It’s a foul. But we cannot change it, I only spoke about it because you asked me."

READ NEXT:

Gabriel Martinelli could be dropped for Man City clash with injured Arsenal star close to return

Man City suffer major Erling Haaland blow ahead of key Premier League title clash vs Arsenal

Man City duo Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan issue warning to Arsenal ahead of key Premier League clash

Every word Mikel Arteta said on Toney's 'offside goal', Martinelli's form and set pieces

Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.