Arsenal fans come up with wildest conspiracy theory yet as American VAR official makes big call in Crystal Palace clash

ARSENAL fans have leapt to the top of the table – for conspiracy theories!

Gunners‘ supporters noted an unusual twist as a huge VAR call in a 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace helped put Liverpool on the brink of the Prem crown.

Rex

Gabriel Martinelli had the simple task of putting the ball in the net[/caption]

Sky Sports

Jurrien Timber hooked the ball back in for Martinelli to volley in[/caption]

Sky Sports

But VAR ruled the ball had gone out before Timber crossed it[/caption]

Below-par Arsenal were 2-1 up midway through the second period when Jurrien Timber hooked the ball over Eagles keeper Dean Henderson for Gabriel Martinelli to volley home from point-blank range.

An assistant referee ruled it out for offside against Timber – but after a lengthy delay VAR decided that was the wrong call.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, the video assistant also spotted that the ball had gone out of play just as the defender crossed it in, so the goal was disallowed after all.

And having levelled brilliantly once, through Eberechi Eze, Palace went on to do it again, and arguably even better, through sub Jean Philippe Mateta’s long-range chip.

It means Liverpool need just a point at home to Tottenham on Sunday to seal the title in Arne Slot‘s first season in charge.

But if the Gunners were disappointing on the pitch, their fans dazzled online – with their VAR conspiracies.

One pointed out that the video assistant was an American – former Major League Soccer referee Alex Chilowicz.

The New Jersey official, 37, who is also known to be a musician, switched to officiating in England two years ago.

Reuters

Defenders William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior show Arsenal’s dejection[/caption]

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He became one of the first non-Brits to take charge of an EFL match in December 2023.

And he finally oversaw a game on Premier League turf in August 2024, as Brighton took on Sussex rivals Crawley in the EFL Cup.

But on Wednesday night he found himself under a far more intense microscope in a cagey contest refereed by Michael Salisbury.

One fan described Chilowicz and Salisbury as a pair of “unknowns”.

The supporter then added to his wacky thinking – with a surprise question.

He posted on X: “I find it hilarious that the referee and VAR tonight for #Arsenal game are unknowns. None of the usual clowns.

“Is it because @FA_PGMOL  are all with the Liverpool players ready to celebrate their title win if we lost tonight?”

Another supporter was more blunt with his observation.

He wrote: “VAR always works correctly when it’s against Arsenal lol.

“A third claimed: “Now that the league is decided, they take their time on VAR calls involving Arsenal.”

And a fourth hinted that, apart from terrible luck with injuries to strikers, the Gunners have had equally miserable misfortune up front – albeit off the pitch.

With an apparent touch of suspicion, he lamented: “So many goals disallowed from VAR for Arsenal this year.”

Other fans blasted the “ridiculous” length of time waiting for VAR to deliver a verdict.

But at least one viewer suggested the incident was a VICTORY for the technology.

He wrote: “You have to give the Premier League credit.

“That Timber goal was inconclusive 3 months ago… VAR is awful but getting the tech in place to see an out ball is super stuff… Nobody hates VAR more than me, but credit where it’s due.”  

Meanwhile, Prem chiefs acted to clear up debate over the disallowed goal with an explanation on social media.

They posted: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for Arsenal for offside against Timber – and established that he was in an onside position in the build-up. 

“However, the VAR also determined that the ball had gone out of play in the build-up and the goal should be ruled out.”  

Getty

Boss Mikel Arteta was frustrated by Arsenal’s two dropped points[/caption]