'These decisions didn't seem all that difficult to call'

[Getty Images] It wasn't a great weekend for VAR. Three big decisions were mangled and they might have made a mockery of two of the most meaningful matches of the season so far. What's more concerning is that these decisions didn't seem all that difficult to call. Arsenal conceded a penalty but it was clear from the replays that it was Gunners defender Ezri Konsa who was fouled by Sunderland's Dan Ballard, not the other way around. Watching live, it looked like the referee had got it right. Konsa wasn't looking at the ball when the wrestling took place, so there is no blame on the referee. He couldn't have known that Ballard started it. This is why we have VAR, so that they can check the angles and make the right calls in these crucial moments. The problem was they did look and still missed what really happened. The error probably happened because they are trying to speed up the decision-making process, but it is much better to be right than quick. Fortunately, someone above was smiling down on the officials and David Raya saved the spot-kick, Arsenal went on to win and justice was done. Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here .