Premier League table without VAR revealed as Arsenal vindicated and massive relegation change

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Arsenal still would have become Premier League champions if the division did not employ VAR, according to research. The Gunners would have only edged Manchester City out on goal difference, however.

Mikel Arteta's side finally got over the line to upgrade from perennial runners-up to deserved champions with a game to spare. And, while many might point to fortuitous VAR outcomes such as West Ham being denied a goal that ensured the north Londoners earned three points, it seems accusations of 'VARsenal', fall short.

Tottenham would have comfortably stayed up rather than requiring three points on the final day of the season, per AceOdds , and finished nine points clear of the relegation zone. The Lilywhites survived thanks to Joao Palhinha's effort in a win over Everton .

Relegated West Ham would have avoided their fate , and Nottingham Forest instead would have completed the bottom three alongside Burnley and Wolves . The Irons' 3-0 win over Leeds would have seen them survive and Forest sent down on the final day of the season as they drew with Bournemouth.

Chelsea would have seen their disastrous season end even worse. The midtable Blues would have descended into the bottom half without the assistance of VAR. Their final day dispatchers, Sunderland , enjoyed a fantastic season in finishing seventh and qualifying for the Europa League .

Without the help of VAR, the Black Cats would have still enjoyed a strong Premier League survival, but without the same kind of glory by dropping below local rivals Newcastle and into 13th spot.

Bournemouth have enjoyed their own fairy-tale, qualifying for the Europa League by finishing sixth. Without VAR, it appears they'd have leapfrogged Arne Slot's Liverpool to claim fifth by two points, with the Anfield side enduring an even bigger comedown from winning the league in 2025.

Following their final day draw with Brentford, Liverpool boss Slot admitted that the Champions League was the minimum result for the Reds' season. "We came here today to do the minimum, that’s the minimum required, and that is qualifying for the Champions League," he said.

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"As you see when you take a look at the league table, big clubs are not able to qualify for Champions League or Europe. Big clubs have not been able to qualify for Europe in the last few seasons in this league, so we can never take it for granted but it’s clear and obvious that we wanted more."

Mikel Arteta , meanwhile, wants his side to use the momentum from their title win to kick on rather than follow in Liverpool's footsteps. "What I said to the boys is that this shirt now represents something else," he explained.

"We are the champions and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy to it. But as well another kind of responsibility as well.

"My job now, and everybody at the club, is going to be to live those standards now and achieve more and more because I think we are capable of winning."

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