‘It’s a problem that not every game has the same level of technology’, says Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall
JONAS EIDEVALL criticised the irregular use of goal line technology in the Women’s Champions League after Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich.
The Gunners saw some solid calls for penalties dismissed in the first leg of their quarter-final clash with the German giants.
Video assistant referees are deployed in the contest at this stage, but the choice to use goal line technology is optional.
And Eidevall, whose Gunners play Bayern at the Emirates next Wednesday says goal line technology was not in use in the match at the Allianz Arena.
The Arsenal boss said: “When we look at this competition and we’re thinking about taking the next step for it, it highlights a couple of issues.
“One is that VAR is only introduced in the quarter-finals.
“I don’t know if that VAR referee (for this game) has ever used VAR before.
“Secondly, goal line technology is something you can use at this stage of the competition just like the group stages, but it’s not compulsory.”
Lea Schuller’s goal proved to be the decisive finish in the game.
A towering 39th-minute header from the German side’s top scorer sealed a win that saw them maintain unbeaten run at home this term.
However the Gunners saw their spot-kick appeals in both halves come to nothing.
The first occurred after Caitlin Foord’s eighth-minute shot struck the arm of Bayern defender Glodis Perla Viggosdottir.
The visitors had two further appeals for a potential 63rd-minute shirt pull on Rafaelle Souza and goalkeeper Maria-Luisa Grohs picking up a back pass from a team-mate.
And there were questions concerning no deployment of goal line technology in the match with Stina Blackstenius’ second-half header cleared off the line.
Eidevall added: “Part of me is proud because the performance was really strong coming here to Allianz Arena.
“Part of me is disappointed with the result that we couldn’t be more efficient with our chances.
“And part of me is angry because VAR was not working in the Arena tonight as there were clear and obvious penalty situations – two of them – and I think that’s unacceptable.
“Tonight goal line technology was not in use.
“When we go to the Emirates next week, Arsenal choose to pay for goal line technology because we think that’s the right thing to do to ensure a fair competition.
“I think it’s a problem for the competition that not every game has the same level of technology in helping officials take the right decisions.”
Arsenal were unfortunate to come away goalless from the game in Munich.
After their hosts had the upper hand in the first half, the visitors dominated the game’s second spell.
Among their closest chances was a 55th-minute rifled Foord effort prompting a diving save from Grohs.
Eidevall added: “The players were brilliant. they were really brave on the ball and displayed Arsenal in a really good way in the second half.
“We should be proud of that, but we are disappointed with the result
“We’re going to try and do everything in our power to turn this result around next week.”