Arsenal moved to the brink of a first Premier League title in 22 years after West Ham had a last-gasp equaliser ruled out by VAR in a dramatic finale at the London Stadium that left the hosts starting down the barrel of relegation.
The Gunners had been frustrated for long spells as West Ham scrapped for survival, and Mikel Arteta’s side were saved by a crucial stop from goalkeeper David Raya as he made an inspired block from Mateus Fernandes.
Moments later, Leandro Trossard ended his long scoring drought with the goal that looked to fire Arsenal to the title, but there was more drama to come after Callum Wilson scrambled an equaliser deep in stoppage time.
But in the melee, VAR spotted an infringement involving goalkeeper Raya and West Ham substitute Pablo. In a thicket of bodies in the six-yard box, Raya appeared to be grasped by the Brazilian as he attempted to claim the initial delivery into the box.
After a long deliberation of the available angles, VAR Darren England instructed referee Kavanagh to review the footage on the pitchside monitor. And following a discussion between the officials, Kavanagh chalked the goal off.
Arsenal now just need to beat relegated Burnley and Crystal Palace to win the Premier League, while West Ham are in need of a great escape with two games remaining. Tottenham can move four points clear if they beat Leeds, who are now safe, tonight.
Jarrod Bowen criticises VAR decision that denied West Ham a vital point against Arsenal
A disappointed West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen questioned the video assistant referee (VAR) decision that denied his side a vital point against Arsenal.
Callum Wilson looked to have snatched a draw for the hosts when he half-volleyed home in stoppage time, only for VAR Darren England and referee Chris Kavanagh to chalk the goal off after a review.
The officials ruled that there had been a foul by West Ham’s Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya as he attempted to grasp an initial delivery into the box. Pablo’s arm was across the neck of Raya, while there also appeared to be a pull on his arm.
How the biggest VAR decision yet might have won Arsenal the Premier League title
This title race just keeps twisting and turning – Miguel Delaney was at the London Stadium yesterday to take in all of the drama.
Gary Neville calls late drama the ‘biggest moment in VAR history’
Gary Neville claimed the dramatic late intervention in Arsenal’s victory over West Ham was probably the “biggest moment in VAR history” in the Premier League.
The relegation-threatened Hammers looked to have snatched a 1-1 draw against the title-chasing Gunners when Callum Wilson struck in stoppage time at the London Stadium.
But after a long review, in a decision that has significant ramifications at both ends of the table, the goal was disallowed for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya by Pablo.
Former Manchester United and England defender Neville, who was working as a co-commentator for Sky Sports, felt it was a big moment and the correct decision was eventually made.Neville said: “This is an earthquake, a tremor of a moment.
“I have to say the big striker has got his arm across David Raya. He does disrupt him.
“VAR, what are they going to do? It is probably the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League. This is massive.
“I think it’s a foul. His arm is held on Raya. It’s on him all the time. He’s holding across his neck and chest. I think it’s a foul.
“But have VAR got the nerve, the guts, the courage to make the decision? This is massive for refereeing in this country. This is too big to get wrong.”
When could Arsenal win the Premier League? Remaining title race fixtures compared to Man City
Here is the remaining itinerary for Arsenal in the league. Two wins would do it.
- Monday 18 May: Burnley (h)
- Sunday 24 May: Crystal Palace (a)
West Ham’s fixtures to come
It’s getting dicey for West Ham – if Tottenham beat Leeds later, they will be four points adrift in 18th with a vastly inferior goal difference
Remaining fixtures:
- 17 May – Newcastle (A)
- 24 May – Leeds (H)
Nuno Espirito Santo questions controversial VAR call
Nuno Espirito Santo felt his team were unfortunate to have Callum Wilson’s would-be equaliser ruled out, believing similar incidents to have gone unpunished.
“You look at every corner in the Premier League and something like this is happening, not just today, but on all the pitches,” Nuno said last night.
“I am talking about the lack of consistency. The players are confused and frustrated, and they don’t understand it. It is upsetting. It is up to them to solve it, there is a referee and VAR, but the referees confuse themselves.”
Gary Neville ‘stunned’ by Mikel Arteta’s initial response to Ben White injury
The Premier League leaders were well on top at the London Stadium when England right back White stayed down following a collision with West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville. White was then replaced, in what is a worry for his hopes of featuring in the Champions League final and this summer’s World Cup.
Arteta responded by calling for midfielder Martin Zubimendi as White’s replacement, rather than versatile defenders Cristhian Mosquera or Pierro Hincapie. With Myles Lewis-Skelly continuing in midfield, Rice was moved to right back.
Rice has filled in at right back before for Arsenal, including as a starter in the 2-1 win over Brighton in the Premier League this season when both White and Jurrien Timber, as well as Mosquera and Hincapie, were unavailable.
But former Manchester United defender Neville questioned the logic of moving Rice out of central midfield. “I’m stunned,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “Taking him out of the middle of the pitch is a big call.”
Mikel Arteta offers worrying Ben White injury update: ‘It doesn’t look good’
Mikel Arteta conceded that Ben White’s injury “doesn’t look good” with the Arsenal defender’s chances of travelling to the World Cup perhaps now in doubt.
Why was Callum Wilson’s goal disallowed by VAR for West Ham against Arsenal?
A tight call, but probably the right one? Who knows in these strange times…
Mikel Arteta congratulates ‘brave’ officials for ruling out West Ham’s equaliser against Arsenal
Mikel Arteta congratulated the “brave” match officials for overturning an “obvious error” in Arsenal’s controversial 1-0 win against West Ham which edges them closer to a first Premier League title in 22 years.
Leandro Trossard fired Arteta’s side ahead with just seven minutes remaining before Callum Wilson appeared to deal a hammer blow to the Gunners’ championship aspirations – and a crucial boost to West Ham’s hopes of survival – in stoppage time.
