RAGING CONTE’S ON THE VARPATH
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THE video assistant referee (VAR) system made its second appearance in English football – and stoked the tension with two vital interventions in a Stamford Bridge stalemate.
After not being needed in Monday’s FA Cup tie between Brighton and Crystal Palace this time the system was called on.
The VAR was in action in the first half to confirm referee Martin Atkinson’s decision to wave away a penalty appeal after Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi went down following a challenge from Victor Moses.
It was called on again with two minutes remaining and once more confirmed the ref ’s call not to award a penalty, this time after Danny Welbeck got a faint touch on the ball when bringing down Cesc Fabregas.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said: “When there are situations you have doubt about you have to check.
“But at the same time if you check in extra time you have to consider this.
“It is the only disappointment about extra time because in the second half the doctor went on the pitch twice and the ref stopped to listen to VAR and you have to give more minutes in extra time.”
Gunners hitman Welbeck said: “I didn’t know the VAR was actually looking at that incident. I knew I cleanly got the ball so I wasn’t worried.”
Arsene Wenger was a tortured soul in unfamiliar surroundings in west London as he served his touchline ban in the press box.
But ultimately the Frenchman was left sitting pretty after a stalemate that must make it advantage Arsenal.
On the late penalty decision Wenger said: “I felt it took too much time. There was great togetherness, we didn’t give many chances away. I was pleased with our spirit.”
There were times Wenger could not contain his emotions as the Gunners were pinned back and put under pressure.
But his men survived to fight another day.
In contrast to last week’s four-goal thriller this was much more of a cagey affair.
Chelsea had more pressure but Arsenal looked dangerous on the break, Jack Wilshere’s 22nd-minute through ball released Alexandre Lacazette but the striker snatched at his shot and blazed high and wide.
The Blues’ finishing was not much better as Alvaro Morata still looks out of form.
Moses had two decent chances but both times his shots from the right were saved by Arsenal keeper David Ospina.
The visitors went close in 39 minutes when Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger’s clearance only went as far as Iwobi and the Gunners midfielder’s shot was well saved by Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois.
But the Blues should have gone ahead just before half-time when Cesar Azpilicueta’s ball into the penalty box found Cesc Fabregas unmarked but he headed straight at Ospina.
The cracks in the Arsenal defence were beginning to appear as the home side really turned the screw after half time.
N’Golo Kante’s 47th-minute cross was flicked on by Marcos Alonso and then Andreas Christensen headed over.
It was rapidly becoming more of a rearguard action for the Gunners as they sat in. Moses had a shot deflected over by Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi.
And from the resulting Fabregas corner Christensen should have scored but he put his glancing header wide.
Eventually Arsenal threw on Alexis Sanchez.
Then ref Atkinson left everyone waiting as he went to the video evidence before deciding Welbeck’s rather clumsy challenge on Fabregas was not a penalty.
Wenger confirmed midfielder Francis Coquelin is close to completing a £12m move from Arsenal to Valencia. He said: “He goes to Valencia. He didn’t get enough games with us.”