By Abigail David

Arsenal and Chelsea were the biggest beneficiaries of VAR and refereeing errors during the 2025-26 Premier League season, according to data released by the league’s Key Match Incidents panel.

Findings obtained by BBC Sport showed Arsenal benefited from seven incorrect officiating decisions across the campaign, while Chelsea recorded the highest positive VAR balance with eight favourable calls.

The report comes after Arsenal won the Premier League title under Mikel Arteta and completed the season without conceding a penalty or receiving a red card.

However, the panel stated that Arsenal should have conceded three penalties and received three red cards during the season.

Chelsea also benefited from several controversial incidents, including a wrongly disallowed goal for Fulham and an incorrect penalty awarded against Crystal Palace.

The panel further noted that Chelsea should have conceded penalties in matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth.

Bournemouth were also listed among clubs that benefited from officiating mistakes, including two separate incidents involving defender Marcos Senesi escaping red cards.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace and Everton were identified as the clubs most negatively affected by VAR decisions during the campaign.

Everton were reportedly denied penalties in matches against Arsenal, West Ham United and Manchester City, while Crystal Palace suffered three major incorrect decisions.

Despite the controversies, the Premier League recorded 25 VAR errors during the season, an improvement from 31 in the 2023-24 campaign and 38 in 2022-23.

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to sanction their first summer transfer under new manager Xabi Alonso, with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen set to be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge.

According to BBC Sport, Chelsea are now open to selling the 24-year-old after he expressed a desire to move on in search of regular playing time.

Jorgensen joined Chelsea from Villarreal two seasons ago.

He was originally expected to compete for the number one role with Robert Sanchez but has managed just 11 Premier League appearances across two campaigns.

Although Chelsea blocked a potential exit in the January transfer window, the club are now willing to consider offers, with interest expected from both English and European sides.

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has described Paris Saint-Germain as a “difficult” opponent ahead of their UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal.

Arsenal go into the final seeking their first-ever Champions League title, following a successful season that saw them end a 22-year wait for the Premier League crown under manager Mikel Arteta.

PSG, meanwhile, are the reigning European champions and will be aiming to defend the trophy they won last season.

“PSG are obviously reigning champions so of course they’re a difficult team to beat but I think Arsenal have shown this year that they can be one of the best teams in Europe, for sure,” Kane told Sky Sports.

“It will be an interesting final, we’ll have to see what happens.”