Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Mon 1 June 2026 13:30, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal were “fortunate” to set a Premier League record as they beat Manchester City to the 2025-26 title.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Gunners should not be criticised, nor should their accomplishment be tarnished.

Having won the league by seven points, Mikel Arteta’s side became the first in history to complete a Premier League season without being issued a red card or conceding a penalty.

Rival supporters have claimed that Arsenal’s title has been built on luck, with several incidents easily ending in one of those two punishments, such as Kai Havertz’s challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu just last month.

Arsenal ‘proud’ of Premier League record, but it’s a lucky one

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Many people will say that throughout the season, things even out if we’re looking at football as a whole. This is not Arsenal’s fault. 

“I’m not criticising Arsenal in any way, or form. This is about ensuring that the performance analysis of match officials is analysed very closely, and an accurate performance analysis that pulls out the errors that are made.

“Then there is the appropriate training for those individuals. They’re fortunate. It’s a record that they’re probably proud of.

“But in reality, I’m amazed that they’ve gone through a season without that record being stopped, given some of the incidents that I’ve seen.”

VAR not on the Gunners’ side in Champions League final

Champions League sides also struggled to win penalties against the Gunners, with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez the only player other than Ousmane Dembele who fired from the 12-yard spot.

That was the start of a comeback for Ligue 1 champions PSG on Saturday, 30 May, with the two giants going all the way to a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw at the Puskas Arena.

However, the game could have been decided much sooner when Noni Madueke was taken down by Nuno Mendes, and the entire footballing world questioned how a spot-kick had not been awarded.

Supporters expected the referee to take a second look at the pitch-side monitor, but even after a review from VAR, the incident was waved away, and the Gunners were left wondering ‘what if’ in the final.