Arsenal may feel they were hard done by by referees during the 2024/25 Premier League season, with several controversial decisions going against them at key moments throughout the campaign.

Arsenal may feel they were hard done by by referees during the 2024/25 Premier League season, with several controversial decisions going against them at key moments throughout the campaign.

Mikel Arteta and his players often found themselves on the wrong end of VAR reviews, disallowed goals, and questionable penalties that arguably cost the Gunners crucial points in their title challenge.

 

One of the most talked-about incidents occurred during a pivotal clash against Manchester City, where a seemingly clear penalty on Bukayo Saka was waved away despite a VAR review. Similarly, in a tightly contested North London Derby, Arsenal had a late winning goal ruled out for a marginal offside decision that left fans and pundits alike divided. These moments added to growing frustrations over perceived inconsistencies in officiating.

 

Arteta didn’t shy away from expressing his concerns, stating in multiple post-match interviews that standards of refereeing needed to improve, especially with the stakes so high in a season where every point mattered. Arsenal supporters echoed these sentiments, pointing to data that showed the club had one of the highest numbers of VAR calls going against them among top-six sides.

 

While some argue that all clubs experience rough calls over the course of a season, Arsenal’s sense of injustice was magnified by the fine margins that separated them from the title. Ultimately, these contentious decisions didn’t go unnoticed and fueled debates around the reliability of VAR and referee accountability.

 

Despite the setbacks, Arsenal showed resilience and continued to fight until the final weeks of the season. However, looking ahead, the club may push for greater transparency and consistency from match officials in order to avoid a repeat of the frustrations that marred their 2024/25 campaign.