An Arsenal mural celebrating a West Ham goal that was controversially ruled out against them has gone up near the Emirates after the Gunners were crowned as Premier League champions.
A key moment in the title race came earlier this month when Callum Wilson had an injury-time equaliser disallowed for the Hammers by referee Chris Kavanagh after a lengthy VAR check.
It was ultimately judged that West Ham forward Pablo was impeding Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, with Kavanagh adding: ‘After review West Ham number 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is direct free-kick.’
And a mural honouring those words alongside Chris Kavanagh looking at a shot of the chaotic moment in the penalty box on the VAR screen has gone up on Avenell Road, just minutes away from the Emirates Stadium.
Several fans have subsequently moaned about Arsenal supporters and attributed the artwork to them, but it’s actually thanks to Paddy Power.
The bookmaker have had a bit of fun by installing the mural, which has particularly attracted the ire of West Ham fans.
A mural honouring West Ham’s disallowed goal against Arsenal has gone up near the Emirates
Several Arsenal fans have posed alongside the mural, which is the work of Paddy Power
Taking to social media, one said: ‘Arsenal fans are now making murals about West Ham’s goal being ruled out against them by VAR, alongside getting it printed on shirts. Tragic embarrassing fanbase.’
Another added: ‘Rather be relegated than be part of that fanbase.’
Several Gunners supporters were quick to point out that the mural was in fact done by Paddy Power rather than them, and they also tried to rub salt into the wounds about West Ham’s potential relegation on the final day.
Photos have since circulated of Arsenal fans posing with the mural as they continue to celebrate their historic achievement.
During the aforementioned incident, after lengthy deliberations, Kavanagh ruled that Pablo had his arm across Raya’s chest, impeding him from catching the ball or parrying it away.
The decision generated significant controversy, with former Man United and Man City keeper Peter Schmeichel calling it ‘crazy’ and ‘so wrong’, while Hammers skipper Jarrod Bowen hit out at officials.
He said: ‘Because we’re on the receiving end, we’re going to feel hard done by. Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players. There’s lots of holding and grappling going on in the box. The keeper has to expect contact, there’s going to be tussles.
Callum Wilson thought he had equalised in the aforementioned incident, but Pablo (No 19) was adjudged to have fouled David Raya
‘I’m sure we could go back through every single game and find goalkeepers being fouled and not getting decisions. If you’re going to give it, you have to give it to every single one that happens week in, week out. Where’s the consistency?
‘When you look at the screen for five minutes, you’ll find something. I’m sure if you look long enough, you’ll find something. Do I think it’s the right decision? No.’
West Ham must beat Leeds on the final day and hope Tottenham lose to Everton in order to avoid relegation.
