How Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace fare in new look Premier League table without VAR

Arsenal picked up a big three points against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday in a Premier League clash that was overshadowed by VAR controversy following a red card for young full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The 18-year-old clipped Matt Doherty to stop a Wolves counter-attack. The foul happened deep in the Gunners' half but Lewis-Skelly was still shown a red card by Michael Oliver.

An explanation from the Premier League Match Centre on social media platform X read: "The referee’s call of a red card for Lewis-Skelly was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed his challenge to have been serious foul play."

Speaking after the match, a frustrated Mikel Arteta admitted that the North London outfit was 'fuming' with the red card. He said: "It is that clear and I will leave it to you guys. I am absolutely fuming. But I will leave it with you, it is that obvious that I don't think my words are going to help."

LondonWorld looks at an updated version of the Premier League table, should VAR simply not have existed this season.

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, 14 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, 21 points (-2)

The Toffees beat Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday but their 1-0 win came thanks to an Iliman Ndiaye penalty, which was awarded thanks to VAR.

15th - West Ham, 24 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 - 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.

11th - Manchester United, 32 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.

10th - Brentford, 33 points (+2)

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

9th - Brighton, 36 points (+2)

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. Everton also claimed a 1-0 win against them thanks to a VAR awarded penalty.

8th - Aston Villa, 36 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 - 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

6th - Manchester City, 39 points (-2)

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

5th - Newcastle United, 39 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.

4th - AFC Bournemouth, 44 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, 50 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, 53 points (+6)

The Gunners would have 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.