The recent North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal has drawn attention following two substantial delays attributed to malfunctioning VAR technology. Referee Peter Bankes faced challenges communicating with his assistants and the VAR team due to issues with the communication packs provided by technology firm Hawkeye. Such breakdowns not only affected the game's flow but also prompted heavy criticism from pundits and fans alike, highlighting the needs for reliable technology in high-stakes matches such as this one.

In response to the chaos during the match, the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) announced a thorough investigation into the events that led to the technical failures. The two lengthy delays, a combined total of twelve minutes, were seen as a significant blunder in a high-profile Premier League match that was globally broadcasted. The scrutiny this situation has attracted indicates a pressing need for the Premier League to ensure technological reliability in officiating, particularly in crucial fixtures like the derby.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville described the VAR issues as 'absolute nonsense,' emphasizing the importance of proper functioning VAR systems in maintaining the integrity of the game. The fallout from this incident may lead to a reassessment of protocols surrounding VAR technology and its implementation during matches, aiming for a better experience for both players and fans in the future.