Despite the euphoria of watching Alessia Russo score an 87th-minute goal to grab a 1-1 draw with champions Chelsea, Arsenal manager Renee Slegers was clinical in her assessment of the controversial decisions that went against her side.
And she said video assistant referees (VAR) should be introduced in the Women’s Super League to bring “justice”.
Eight minutes into the second half, Stina Blackstenius thought she had cancelled out Alyssa Thompson’s opening goal for Chelsea with a thunderous finish following a corner.
But the Emirates Stadium was left in a state of confusion when play restarted with Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton taking a free-kick inside her box, rather than her team-mates taking the kick-off.
It transpired referee Melissa Burgin had ruled Blackstenius had handled the ball, though replays showed it had clearly struck her thigh.
The second “abysmal decision” – to quote former England international Izzy Christiansen on Sky Sports – came when Frida Maanum had scored what could have been a 90th-minute winner for Arsenal.
That goal was ruled out for offside, with initial replays inconclusive.
Slegers was pragmatic about the “big” decisions.
“A lot of respect for referees because it’s not easy,” she said. “We’re looking at video. If you ask me, we need justice and that’s why I think VAR and technology can help.
“I don’t want to elaborate too much but there’s more and more at stake in the WSL. We have to have a look at how we grow the game in all aspects.”
VAR has been utilised in the later stages of the Women’s FA Cup and is also used in the Women’s Champions League, but there are no plans yet to bring it into England’s top flight.
While Slegers exuded calm, Christiansen adopted a more combative stance.
“Arsenal put themselves in a position in that second half that showed signs of a team that were so hungry to get back into the game,” she said. “What they did was exceptional from start to finish in that second half.
“They scored two goals that have been disallowed. That game should have finished 3-1 to Arsenal.
“They were two absolutely abysmal decisions. I think it’s cost them and they have been robbed. There’s no other way to put it.”
