Gary Neville issued a public apology to VAR officials during Sky Sports' coverage of Arsenal's Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday. The incident occurred after a Morgan Rogers goal was disallowed for offside following a lengthy review, a decision the pundit initially criticised before correcting himself live on air.
Arsenal drew 1-1 with Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, with Kai Havertz scoring the equaliser 25 minutes into the match. The disallowed goal came earlier in the game, with VAR ruling that Ezri Konsa was in an offside position during the build-up to Rogers' finish. The Daily Mirror Football reported on the incident and Neville's subsequent change of heart.
What did Gary Neville say about the VAR decision?
Neville's initial reaction was one of disbelief and criticism. As the VAR review unfolded, he predicted the outcome and its consequences. "He is going to disallow it...all hell's going to break loose. I disagree with it," Neville said. He argued his case, stating, "There's no doubt that he's [Konsa] in an offside position, but for me, Emi Martinez has a clear chance to save it."
His position shifted dramatically moments later when replays showed a clearer angle. Commentator Peter Drury pointed out that the system being used was 'Pro Ref', correcting Neville's earlier reference. Seeing the new evidence, Neville immediately retracted his criticism. "Oh, he touches it. Correction. Apologies to VAR and the PGMOL," he stated, offering a direct on-air apology to the match officials.
How does this affect Arsenal's current season?
The match was part of the 2025/26 Premier League season, but the context of the current campaign is vital. As of 7 September 2026, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal sit 2nd in the Premier League table with a perfect record. They have 9 points from 3 wins in 3 games, with a recent form of WWW. Their goal difference stands at an impressive +5, having scored 6 goals while conceding just 1. You can track their progress in the standings.
This strong start comes despite some notable absences. Defender William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera are currently sidelined, which you can monitor on the club's injuries page. The team's defensive solidity, conceding only once, is a significant positive as they navigate these absences.
What is next for Arsenal after the Chelsea draw?
Attention now turns to the next fixture. Arsenal travel to face Sunderland on 12 September 2026. Sunderland are currently 12th in the table, making it a potentially tricky away encounter. The full schedule of upcoming matches is available on the fixtures page.
The team will look to maintain their winning start to the league season at the Stadium of Light. Arteta will need to manage his squad carefully, especially with the defensive injuries, as they aim for a fourth consecutive victory. The manager's decisions regarding team selection will be closely watched, with the full squad list showing his available options.
Why was the goal against Chelsea disallowed?
The decisive moment came from the offside position of Ezri Konsa. VAR officials determined that Konsa was offside in the phase of play leading to Morgan Rogers putting the ball in the net. This intervention led to the goal being chalked off, sparking the initial debate on commentary.
Such moments highlight the continued scrutiny of the video assistant referee system in the Premier League. Pundits and fans often debate the interpretation of the laws, particularly around what constitutes an interfering phase of play. Neville's very public reversal, from criticism to apology, shows how additional camera angles can completely change the perception of an incident.
The incident at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon will be filed as another chapter in the ongoing discussion about technology in football. For Arsenal, the focus is firmly on the future, starting with their away match against Sunderland on 12 September.
