John McGinn’s disallowed goal during the match between Arsenal and Aston Villa has once again put VAR under the spotlight.
The Scotland international enjoyed a terrific day at the Emirates, getting one over national squad teammate Kieran Tierney as Aston Villa beat Arsenal 3-0.
Whilst it was a successful trip to North-London, McGinn was left on the wrong side of a VAR call with the game still locked at 0-0.
McGinn put an effort past Arsenal keeper Berndt Leno with 45 seconds on the clock but it was chopped off. It appeared like a legal goal but after almost five minutes of debate, it wouldn’t stand.
Ross Barkley was deemed to be in Leno’s eyeline – even though the strike fizzed past the Arsenal stopper at speed. Referee Martin Atkinson made his way to the pitchside monitor to review what had happened
Controversy arose, the official forced to watch what had happened on a miniature screen as the main one seemingly wasn’t turned on. It brings more scrutiny upon VAR in a season where the big decision-making technology has managed to cause chaos.
It’s a sore one for McGinn personally but debate over the decision has calmed after the Villans romped to victory but this was a big call at that moment in the game.
With a 3-0 scoreline under his belt, McGinn now heads to the Scotland camp this week in high spirits ahead of a huge week where the nation could book a spot at Euro 2020.