Arsenal were denied a victory which would have closed the gap to WSL leaders Chelsea to two points by a pair of controversial refereeing decisions which restricted them to a 1-1 draw against the Blues – and kept the visitors’ 33-game unbeaten streak alive in the process.
Trailing to Alyssa Thompson’s lob in a period of early Chelsea dominance, Arsenal wrestled control of the game and appeared to draw level through Stina Blackstenius’ rising effort from a corner shortly after the break.
After a lengthy delay, referee Mel Burgin ruled the Swedish forward had handled the ball – despite replays showing there had been no contact.
“It’s so frustrating. It’s the midriff, the top of the thigh,” said Sky Sports’ Courtney Sweetman-Kirk.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Replays of Stina Blackstenius’s shot for Arsenal appear to suggest a handball call may well have been the wrong one.
“The hands go back and that’s what catches the referee’s attention, but there’s no excuses. It’s a big goal disallowed for no reason.”
Alessia Russo did relieve some of the growing tension around the Emirates to bring the hosts level late on when Hannah Hampton fumbled her first-time effort in at the near post, but there was still more drama to come.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Arsenal forward Alessia Russo scores a late equaliser for the home side against Chelsea in the WSL.
After Russo turned provider to feed Frida Maanum behind the visiting defence, the substitute beat Hampton for what looked like a late winner until she was denied by an offside flag, a decision which again appeared as though it may have been wrong.
Usually-reserved Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers was booked for her furious reaction as tempers frayed, with the result extending Chelsea’s unbeaten WSL run to 33 games and leaving the Gunners still needing to overturn a five-point deficit to catch the league leaders.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Alyssa Thompson’s opens the scoring with a chip in for Chelsea.
Christiansen: Officials have had huge impact on Arsenal’s title hopes
Sky Sports’ Izzy Christiansen at the Emirates Stadium:
“From the referee’s position, how can she see [the handball]? The closest player to her is Lucy Bronze, she’s the most experienced player on the planet.
“The referees are supported, it’s been noted in the past few seasons. You look at the occasion today, the crowds, the stadium, the magnitude – all the things Arsenal do so well. The spotlight on the pitch, the players deliver and the officials need to as well.
“The officials today have had a huge impact on Arsenal’s ability to win the title this season.”
‘Frustrated’ Slegers: I would like to see VAR
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Arsenal women’s head coach Renee Slegers says she would support the introduction of VAR in the WSL after seeing her side denied victory at home to Chelsea by two controversial refereeuing decisions.
Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers to Sky Sports:
“We were very surprised. I don’t see any players calling for it, and you watch it back – I’ve only seen it from one angle, and it doesn’t look like a handball. That’s frustrating, of course.
“[For the Maanum goal] The angle is really hard to see. For me, in retrospect watching it on video, it’s hard for me to see so it’s really hard for the referee on the pitch.
“It’s a game where you see momentum shift, Chelsea were on top of us at the start of the game but we came back and showed such a good mentality, so much quality.
“It’s fine margins, so certain decisions become really big decisions – that’s out of our hands. But if you were to ask me now if I was in favour of VAR, I would say yes.”
Bompastor: We should’ve killed game before half-time
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor to Sky Sports:
“Analysing the game, we created a lot of opportunities in the first half, we probably could’ve killed the game, and we score one goal, it was not enough to kill the opposition’s hope.
“They stayed alive and I think in the second half it was more difficult. We didn’t control the ball as I said, but really proud of the team’s performance.
“I think the players showed a lot of resilience on the pitch. They all defended and tried to protect the goal, and I think in the defensive aspects, we were quite good.
