West Ham were furious after Callum Wilson's 95th-minute equaliser was chalked off by VAR for a foul by Pablo on David Raya, allowing Arsenal to clinch a 1-0 win
Pablo of West Ham United fouls David Raya of Arsenal before Callum Wilson (not pictured) scores a goal that is later disallowed following VAR review
VAR deemed that Pablo had fouled David Raya(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen took aim at VAR after Arsenal escaped the London Stadium with a narrow victory following a controversial late decision. Callum Wilson thought he'd earned the relegation-threatened Hammers a vital point in the 95th minute, only for VAR to intervene.
Referee Chris Kavanagh ruled out the goal after spotting a foul by West Ham striker Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya from the late corner, having been sent to the pitchside monitor by the VAR.
The late drama was enough for Arsenal to win after Leandro Trossard's deflected effort found the back of the net in the 83rd minute. The Hammers were left to rue Mateus Fernandes' huge chance one-on-one with Raya, but it was the VAR call that was fresh in Bowen's mind post-match.
"Yeah [feeling hard done by]. There is a lot of ways I could go about answering this question," he told Sky Sports. "Because we are on the receiving end, we will feel hard done by. Football is a sport that brings enjoyment and brings big moments. We had our big moment and thought we got back in the game.
"Look at something for five minutes, trying to find something. Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players and there is a lot of holding inside the box. Are you going to look at those every time and give a penalty? That is the only way that is the right way to do it.
"You can't wipe a goalkeeper out but the keeper has come in to grab the ball and has to expect contact. It's the Premier League, there is going to be contact.
"We had one at Brentford last week when Tomas Soucek got pulled at the back post and did not get a penalty. I just think, like I said, if you look at something long enough, you will find something to give.
"I can guarantee that pundits and people watching know football is a physical game. If you're going to give it, give it every week. Where is the line and where is the bar?"
Referee Chris Kavanagh reviews VAR before disallowing a late goal from Callum Wilson of West Ham United
Referee Chris Kavanagh ruled out Callum Wilson's goal(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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West Ham stay 18th in the Premier League table, a point behind Tottenham, who play Leeds on Monday night, and manager Nuno Espirito was similarly frustrated with the VAR call.
"Due to the circumstances and the way it finished we are all upset," he said. "Look, there is a referee and VAR, there is circumstances in the past that have been judged different. Let's not go further than that.
"Due to the recent seasons, it has been happening [similar incidents]. Even the referees don't know what is a foul and what is not a foul, It creates doubt."
West Ham have games left against Newcastle and Leeds and Bowen has called on his team-mates to keep fighting.
"We have lost the game but we kept in their and were really in the game," he added. "Regardless of the decision, we have lost the game and it is a point we have lost. It is do or die. We can't be defeated, this cannot be it. We keep going."
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