Premier League data has shown that Arsenal and Chelsea were the biggest beneficiaries of VAR and refereeing errors during the 2025–26 season, according to findings from the league’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel.
The report, obtained via BBC Sport, indicated that Arsenal FC benefited from seven incorrect officiating decisions over the course of the season, while Chelsea FC benefited from eight.
The findings come after Arsenal secured the Premier League title under manager Mikel Arteta, while also completing the season without conceding a penalty or receiving a red card.
However, the KMI panel concluded that Arsenal should have conceded three penalties and been reduced to 10 men on three occasions due to red card offences that were not enforced.
Chelsea, meanwhile, recorded the highest positive VAR balance in the league, with no negative VAR errors recorded against them throughout the campaign.
Among the controversial incidents cited were a wrongly disallowed Fulham goal and an incorrect penalty awarded against Crystal Palace, both of which benefited Chelsea.
The panel also stated that Chelsea should have conceded penalties in matches against Brighton and Bournemouth.
AFC Bournemouth also featured among the clubs that benefited from officiating inconsistencies, including two instances where defender Marcos Senesi avoided red card punishment.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace FC and Everton FC were identified as the biggest losers from VAR decisions during the season.
Everton were denied penalties in matches against Arsenal, West Ham, and Manchester City, while Crystal Palace were affected by three major incorrect calls.
Despite the controversies, the Premier League recorded a total of 25 VAR errors during the season, an improvement compared with 31 errors in 2023–24 and 38 in 2022–23.
The KMI panel findings continue to fuel debate over consistency in officiating standards and the impact of VAR on competitive balance in English football.
