Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on technology delays in game at Tottenham

Arsenal’s 4-1 North London derby win over Tottenham was twice held up because of communication problems between the match officials.

The match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was delayed for over five minutes in the first half because of an issue with the battery pack worn by assistant referee Blake Antrobus.

Play was held up because Antrobus could not talk to referee Peter Bankes and the other officials.

The start of the second half was also delayed for several minutes and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta did not look amused.

“Every time we are [late] out of the dressing room, we get huge fines,” he said afterwards.

“So, I said to them who’s going to get this fine because that’s six, seven, eight, nine minutes? So, yeah, we’ve got one in the bag now.”

Sky pundit Gary Neville, who was summarising on the game, branded the incidents “an absolute shambles”.

Former Premier League referee Darren Cann told BBC Sport the match could not resume until the problem was resolved.

Cann said: “It appears that the assistant referee on the far side, Blake Antrobus, had an issue with his battery pack, which is worn on the arm.

“It’s important that the match officials can hear each other as they are in constant communication throughout the match.

“The game would therefore be stopped until a Hawk Eye operator can get to pitch side to the assistant referee to fix the communication issue.”

BBC Sport asked Hawk Eye for a comment, but they have yet to respond.