VAR may have just made Arsenal the Premier League champions and relegated West Ham in one fell swoop.
The Gunners took all three points in a 1-0 win at the London Stadium, but it was by no means straightforward. West Ham frustrated the Gunners for most of the match, but after 83 tense minutes, the deadlock was finally broken when Leandro Trossard’s deflected shot flew past Mads Hermansen.
Moments earlier, the game’s man of the match, David Raya, made a point-blank save to deny West Ham midfielder Matheus Fernandes a priceless goal for the Hammers. It would've swung the race for the Premier League title back in Manchester City’s favour, as well as putting Tottenham back in the relegation zone.
The Premier League Make Statement After Huge VAR Decision
Premier League referees
Then VAR made its entrance in the 94th minute. Callum Wilson thought he’d snatched a crucial late point for the Hammers when the referee’s watch confirmed his strike had crossed the line, after Declan Rice’s clearance from inside his own net. But the referee went to the pitch-side screen and assessed that West Ham striker Pablo had fouled David Raya.
The Premier League confirmed the decision via X: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to West Ham United. Referee announcement: 'After review, West Ham number 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is direct free kick."
Pablo's arm was stretched directly across Raya's face as he contested the corner, while also appearing to grab the Arsenal goalkeeper's arm. Whether the contact had any meaningful bearing on the goal that followed is debatable, but it was the kind of blatant, textbook foul on a goalkeeper that officials simply won't ignore once it’s been flagged. VAR was always going to intervene.
What It Means For Both Arsenal and West Ham
Arsenal's Kepa Arrizabalaga and Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrate with teammates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final
For Arsenal, the three points keep their Premier League title charge firmly on track. Going into the final weeks of the season, every single point is vital, and a result that looked to have been snatched away in the cruellest fashion, has been handed back. Mikel Arteta's side will be acutely aware of how fine the margins are at the top of the table right now, and this VAR intervention may yet prove to be the moment that defines their entire season.
It's now onto their final two fixtures of the season. A home match against the already relegated Burnley, and a trip away to Europa Conference League finalists, Crystal Palace on the last day, just six days before they take on PSG in the Champions League final.
For West Ham, the situation is considerably bleaker. A point from this fixture could have been so valuable in their battle to avoid relegation, and having seemingly earned one in the most dramatic of circumstances, seeing it stripped away by VAR is devastating.
The Hammers remain deep in trouble, and will now need to pick up points themselves whilst relying on Tottenham dropping points as well. They travel to Newcastle next week, and then host Leeds United on the final day, whose Premier League survival was confirmed with this result.