Sweet-Bitter outing: Goal scorer Aubameyang sent off by VAR

 

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored and saw red in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.

Jordan Ayew’s deflected equaliser earned Palace a point at home against Arsenal.

But it was goalscorer Aubameyang’s sending off by the video assistant referee (VAR) which will be the major talking point from this game.

Captain Aubameyang had put his side ahead with a well-worked team goal as Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the first half.

But Ayew brought Palace level after the break, his goal-bound effort leaving Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno with little chance after bouncing off David Luiz.

Aubameyang was then sent off following a lunging tackle which caught Max Meyer on the left ankle, VAR overturning the initial yellow card he was awarded by referee Paul Tierney.

Calling the game for the BBC, former Premier League player Steven Reid insists Aubameyang deserved to go.

“The VAR was perfect. It was a bad decision for the referee and it’s done it’s job there,” he said.

“But the atmosphere in the stadium when the tackle was shown – the change and the abuse he was getting as he went off, it just completely changed the atmosphere.”

Aubameyang handed the armband to Lacazette and sloped off and Meyer soon followed him as he tried but failed to recover from the damage inflicted.

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Certainly the last has not been heard on the effect and impact of VAR. A case of referee versus VAR who has the final say!