Arsenal penalty shows need for VAR
Talk of the need for VAR in the Women’s Super League dominated after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea in front of more than 45,000 fans at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal’s opener came from a penalty after Niamh Charles barged into Caitlin Foord as Foord skated towards the area, with the pair then tangling in the box and falling to the floor. The barge was outside the area but a mishmash of legs was inside. Was it the same incident or two? It is hard to say, and if VAR had been in action it might well have determined there was not enough of an error to intervene. Either way, it shouldn’t have mattered but Arsenal struggled to capitalise on their dominance and creative edge. Jonas Eidevall’s side should have been a goal or two up in the first half, and should have extended their lead in the second, but a lack of cutting edge proved costly and left the lurking Sam Kerr needing only one chance to burst their bubble. SW
