’20 goals ruled out’: Former Arsenal star critical of VAR usage in the Premier League

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has insisted that he would have had 20 goals ruled out if VAR was available during his early days.

Walcott was regarded as one of the best wingers during his prime but the former England international is not a fan of VAR, criticising the usage of the technology in the Premier League.

The 35-year-old former England international voiced out his frustrations over VAR after watching Aston Villa’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool disrupted by the intervention of the referees at Stockley Park on Monday night.

Liverpool were made to wait for some seconds before their second goal was awarded as VAR weighed up if Joe Gomez was in an offside position as he provided the assist.

Also, in the second leg, Villa had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside before Jhon Duran’s 88th-minute equaliser was the subject of a lengthy check as the ball appeared to ricochet off of his hand before wrong-footing Alisson Becker to earn a vital point for Unai Emery’s side.

Theo Walcott of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St. Mary’s Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)

Speaking after the match, Walcott slammed the technology and the impact it is having on games in the Premier League.

“It’s so frustrating VAR because it just takes the fun out of it,” the 35-year-old told BBC’s Radio 5 Live. “The delay, the players can’t celebrate, you’re trying to ask players, the young generation to time runs now with VAR.

“I would have had about 20, 30 goals ruled off in my career if VAR came.”

Walcott scored 84 goals in nearly 500 professional appearances. He enjoyed a 12-year career at Arsenal after joining from Southampton in 2006 but retired from professional football last summer after returning to St Mary’s in 2021.