Arsenal, Man Utd and Crystal Palace frustration in new Premier League table without VAR

Arsenal thought they had closed the gap between themselves and Liverpool to just three points when a Mikel Merino shot hit the back of the net via a Kai Havertz deflection in the 87th minute against Aston Villa.

The scores were at 2-2 with just minutes left to play but, to the Gunners dismay, VAR intervened and denied the goal. A statement from the Premier League Match Centre explained: "The Arsenal goal was awarded on-field. The VAR established that the ball hit Havertz's arm immediately before entering the goal and recommended that the goal was disallowed."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded: "The decision is made. It's difficult because we have so much emotion, the celebration and it's taken away from you. Not easy.

"Yes, I have seen it. From one angle it doesn't look [handball] and from another angle it does look handball. The decision is done. We had many other chances that we could have put away without that goal."

It's not the first time this season that Arsenal have felt hard done when it comes to VAR and, indeed, a Premier League table if the video assistant had never existed this season is frustrating reading for the North London outfit.

Premier League table without VAR

20th - Southampton, 7 points (+1)

VAR had a role to play as the Saints threw away a 2-0 lead against Leicester City earlier in the season. One of the Foxes' three goals came after VAR deemed that Ryan Fraser had pulled Jamie Vardy back, the veteran striker scoring from the spot kick.

19th - Leicester City, 11 points (-3)

Struggling Leicester City would be even worse off without VAR this season.

18th - Ipswich Town, 16 points

Would have shared a point with Spurs rather than claiming all three if Dominic Solanke’s goal had stood. Did also see a João Félix goal disallowed for offside in their 2-0 win over Chelsea. Had a penalty given against them against Fulham, as they settled for a 2-2 draw.

17th - Wolves, 17 points (+1)

Wolves would have claimed a point at Manchester City if VAR had not intervened and ruled that John Stones' 95th-minute winner should stand.

16th - Everton, 20 points

15th - West Ham, 23 points (-3)

Benefited from a late penalty against Manchester United, which Jarrod Bowen converted, to pick up an extra two points thanks to VAR. Also had a penalty awarded in the 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth, which Lucas Paqueta scored from.

14th - Tottenham Hotspur, 25 points (+1)

Would have picked up a point against Ipswich Town if Dominic Solanke's goal had stood. VAR did check Newcastle's first goal at the weekend but the decision was already given on-field with Spurs calling for a handball against Joelinton.

13th - Crystal Palace, 29 points (+2)

The Eagles have not been friends of VAR this season with the system costing them two points.

12th - Manchester United, 29 points (+3)

The Red Devils would have likely picked up at least an extra point with a draw against Brighton should a Joshua Zirkzee goal have stood. Instead, it was ruled out for offside. Then, against Liverpool, they could have claimed all three points if not for VAR intervening after a handball by Matthijs de Ligt that saw a penalty awarded to the hosts.

11th - Brentford, 30 points (+2)

Yoane Wissa's goal disallowed for offside against Brighton would have been enough for all three points on December 27.

10th - Fulham, 31 points (-2)

Wouldn't have picked up a point against Arsenal if Bukayo Saka's late goal at Craven Cottage had stood. Also had VAR award a penalty, scored by Raul Jimenez, in their 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town.

9th - Brighton, 35 points (+1)

Yoane Wissa had a goal disallowed for offside for Brentford in a 0-0 draw while the Seagulls saw a VAR call go against them when Aston Villa were awarded a penalty for a foul by Joao Pedro on Morgan Rogers. Ollie Watkins scored it as the sides drew 2-2.

8th - Aston Villa, 35 points (-1)

The Villains were awarded a penalty against Crystal Palace thanks to VAR, but Youri Tielemans saw his spot kick saved anyway. There was a Watkins goal from the penalty spot against Brighton as already highlighted above. That helped earn a point for the hosts.

7th - Manchester City, 36 points (-2)

The Champions would be two points worse off without VAR as the system helped award the John Stones winner against Wolves.

6th - Newcastle United, 36 points (-2)

The Magpies earned a draw at Bournemouth but only after VAR intervened to rule out a late winner for the home side. Everton also had a goal ruled out by VAR against Eddie Howe’s men.

5th - Chelsea, 36 points (-1)

The Blues picked up an extra point thanks to VAR spotting that Kai Havertz was offside for Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. As mentioned, Felix was denied a goal at Ipswich in their 2-0 loss.

Arsenal lead title race in season without VAR

4th - AFC Bournemouth, 41 points (+4)

It's been an impressive campaign from the Cherries, who would have even more points if VAR wasn't in place. Bournemouth would also have picked up three points against West Ham if the London outfit hadn't been given a penalty by VAR. They were also denied a late winner against Newcastle after a handball was spotted.

3rd - Nottingham Forest, 44 points

2nd - Liverpool, 47 points (-3)

The league leaders would be three points worse off without VAR this season. Most recently, they had a penalty awarded after VAR intervention against Manchester United on Sunday.

1st - Arsenal, 50 points (+6)

The Gunners would have an extra points if Kai Havertz's opener against Chelsea had stood, as well as Bukayo Saka's winner at Craven Cottage. Havertz was penalised for VAR against Aston Villa, disallowing a goal which would have seen the Gunners pick up all three points. William Saliba was also sent off against Bournemouth after VAR intervention.