Arsenal struck late to record victory over Manchester United in their pulsating Premier League showdown on Sunday afternoon, but that winner from Eddie Nketiah was not without some confusion involving yet another high-profile VAR decision.
Nketiah flicked the ball beyond United goalkeeper David de Gea from inside the six-yard box in the last minute as the table-topping Gunners maintained their advantage from Manchester City at the summit. He was onside by the barest margin from Aaron Wan-Bissaka when supplying the finishing touch.
However, due to replays that were screened during Sky Sports coverage, there were some question marks on where his teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko was standing when he was picked out before providing an initial cross. It left those who were glued to their TV screens in doubt.
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On first viewing, it was unclear whether or not both players had beaten the line for their involvement. During the VAR checks, Sky Sports showed replays involving Nketiah, but did not run through the whole move which involved Ukraine international Zinchenko sending in a delivery.
He picked up the ball from new signing Leandro Trossard before inadvertently finding Nketiah, who scored in both halves at the Emirates Stadium with Bukayo Saka also on target for Arsenal - while Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez netted in a losing cause for United.
Arsenal striker Nketiah was, albeit just, onside. But even after referee Anthony Taylor signalled that VAR had completed its checks without infringement, there were lingering doubts on Zinchenko as the replay from his position had not - at that particular stage in the coverage - been displayed.
Sky Sports finally showed the check on that passage after it was confirmed the goal had stood, thus clearing up the matter. But it was only then, when the telling angle VAR used was screened, that supporters watching at home were able to access the full and definitive picture.
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