Howard Webb admits to VAR error involving Arsenal as Michael Owen agrees

PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has admitted to an error made by the VAR team during Arsenal's away game against Liverpool back on December 23, where head official Chris Kavanagh failed to award Liverpool a penalty.

The incident occurred in the first half the encounter, where the ball struck Gunners captain Martin Odegaard on the arm in the penalty area following a flick-on from Mohamed Salah. Replays showed a clear foul, which would have resulted in a penalty - however, nothing was given during the game.

The match ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw, which could have serious title ramifications towards the end of the season. Gabriel opened the scoring with a header just four minutes into the game, before Liverpool found an equaliser through Salah later in the half - it could've been very different, had the decision been awarded correctly.

What did Howard Webb say in the interview?

Spaking on Match Officials Mic'd U regarding the decision, Webb said: "The game expects a penalty in this situation. I would agree. The referee on the field recognised that Odegaard had slipped and saw his arm go towards the ground. This is not just Odegaard accidentally falling on to the ball. He does slip, his arm does go out, but he actually pulls his arm back in towards his body, which is when the ball makes contact with the arm.

"The VAR looked at that aspect. He felt it was a case of Odegaard trying to make himself actually smaller by bringing the arm back towards the body. That is the element that's important here. Whether it's instinctive or deliberate, he gets a huge advantage by bringing the arm back towards the ball. All the feedback we got afterwards was very clear. This is one that didn't reach the right outcome on that basis."

Host and ex-Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United striker Michael Owen also agreed a penalty should have been awarded.