Arsenal on brink of title after ‘biggest VAR decision’ in history – live reaction – UK Times

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 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.”

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)

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

• 17 May – Newcastle (A)
• 24 May – Leeds (H)

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.”

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 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.

A tight call, but probably the right one? Who knows in these strange times…

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.

An arm extended, and one hand on the title.

A crucial 1-0 was only stopped from becoming a costly 1-1, in the 94th minute, by one man’s interpretation of “wrestling” – as Nuno Espirito Santo put it – at a set-piece.