Arsenal edge closer to title glory as VAR ‘earthquake’ shakes English Premier League
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
West Ham United’s Pablo obstructing Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya with his arm, behind Hammers custodian Mads Hermansen, during a corner in stoppage time of their Premier League game on May 10. Callum Wilson’s equaliser after Raya dropped the ball was disallowed following the video assistant referee’s intervention and the Gunners secured a crucial 1-0 away win.
PHOTO: Getty Images
LONDON – Arsenal are within touching distance of their first English Premier League crown in 22 years, after a video assistant referee (VAR) “earthquake” rocked the title race in their contentious 1-0 win at West Ham United on May 10.
Mikel Arteta’s side were embroiled in a controversial stoppage-time incident that looked set to derail their title bid, before a VAR intervention tilted the balance of power back to them.
Leading through Leandro Trossard’s deflected 83rd-minute goal, the Gunners were stunned when West Ham’s Callum Wilson lashed home in the final moments after Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya dropped the ball inside his penalty area.
But the home side’s celebrations were curtailed when VAR official Darren England told referee Chris Kavanagh to consult the pitch-side monitor to check a potential foul by Pablo on the custodian before his fumble.
After a lengthy delay ratcheted up the drama, Kavanagh agreed the forward had impeded Raya and returned to the pitch to announce the goal had been disallowed.
Arteta and his players breathed a collective sigh of relief, while Arsenal’s fans exploded in celebration as jeers rang out from disbelieving West Ham supporters.
It was a moment of such emotional intensity that it will surely stand as the defining image of the season, if the Gunners go on to win their 14th English top-flight title and first since 2004.
Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City and will be crowned champions if they win their last two matches – at home to already-relegated Burnley on May 18 and at Crystal Palace on May 24.
They could seal the trophy even earlier if City fail to win their game in hand against Palace at the Etihad Stadium on May 13.
That would allow Arsenal to wrap up the title with a victory over the Clarets.
For third-bottom West Ham, it was a brutal blow in their battle to avoid relegation.
The Hammers remain one point behind 17th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who could extend that gap to four with just two games left if they beat Leeds United in a clash which kicked off after press time.
‘Doubt and speculation’
What was surely one of the most consequential VAR decisions in Premier League history inevitably sparked differing verdicts from Arteta and West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
“It was a call from the ref that is very brave,” Arteta said. “I have to praise them, for giving the option to a referee to decide, away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call.
“When you look at the action in that way, it is an obvious error. It is a free kick, and the goal has to be disallowed.
“You’re talking about a moment that can decide the history, and the course, of two massive clubs that are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives.
“The pressure is huge. So congratulations, because they made a big call in very difficult circumstances.”
Arsenal’s David Raya remonstrating with referee Chris Kavanagh after West Ham United’s Callum Wilson found the net in the dying minutes of the Hammers’ 1-0 defeat on May 10.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Nuno saw it far differently, insisting the decision was the result of debatable rule-making and inconsistent interpretation of those laws in recent seasons.
“The way the game finished, we’re all upset of course,” he said.
“There’s a referee, there’s VAR, there are circumstances in the past that would be judged different.
“Even the referees don’t know what is a foul, what isn’t a foul. It creates a lot of doubt and speculation around it.”
Since being introduced to the Premier League in 2019-20, VAR has been a lightning rod for criticism from managers and fans infuriated by a system that is far from foolproof and often sucks the spontaneity out of matches.
But former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville felt the seismic call was correct: “This is an earthquake, a tremor of a moment.
“It is probably the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League. This is massive.
“I think it’s a foul. His (Pablo’s) arm is held on Raya. It’s on him all the time. He’s holding across his neck and chest.”
Whether the decision was legitimate or not, the aftershocks will be felt from London all the way to Manchester. AFP
