What Unai Emery Said After Arsenal Drew Tottenham

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has spoken on the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee in Premier League matches after an incident-packed 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in a north London derby at Wembley on Saturday.

Arsenal led early on through a goal from Aaron Ramsey but Spurs equalized through a 74th-minute Harry Kane penalty that some felt should have been disallowed for offside — but, with no VAR, referee Anthony Taylor stood by the decision of his linesman.

There was further controversy later on when Arsenal was awarded a penalty in the last minute of normal time after Davinson Sanchez made contact, albeit slight, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

But Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saved Aubameyang’s spot-kick.

There was still time for Taylor to send off Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira for a dangerous challenge on Danny Rose.

“One month ago I said to everybody VAR is coming forward — it is difficult for referees,” Emery told BT Sport.

“You can analyze with TV and it is easy but referees can’t use that now. Maybe today’s match is different from that but I understand it is difficult.”

The Spaniard added: “The referee (Taylor) is a big personality — it is not easy to balance the two teams but I like this referee.”