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Arsenal on brink of title after ‘biggest decision in VAR history’

West Ham 0-1 Arsenal: Callum Wilson’s last-gasp strike was disallowed following a foul on David Raya, with Leandro Trossard firing the goal that moves the Gunners two wins way from the Premier League title

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Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta Applauds ‘Brave’ Officials After Drama In Win At West Ham

Arsenal moved to the brink of a first Premier League title in 22 years after West Ham had a last-gasp equaliser ruled out by VAR in a dramatic finale at the London Stadium that left the hosts starting down the barrel of relegation.

The Gunners had been frustrated for long spells as West Ham scrapped for survival, and Mikel Arteta’s side were saved by a crucial stop from goalkeeper David Raya as he made an inspired block from Mateus Fernandes.

Moments later, Leandro Trossard ended his long scoring drought with the goal that looked to fire Arsenal to the title, but there was more drama to come after Callum Wilson scrambled an equaliser deep in stoppage time.

But in the melee, VAR spotted an infringement involving goalkeeper Raya and West Ham substitute Pablo. In a thicket of bodies in the six-yard box, Raya appeared to be grasped by the Brazilian as he attempted to claim the initial delivery into the box.

After a long deliberation of the available angles, VAR Darren England instructed referee Kavanagh to review the footage on the pitchside monitor. And following a discussion between the officials, Kavanagh chalked the goal off.

Arsenal now just need to beat relegated Burnley and Crystal Palace to win the Premier League, while West Ham are in need of a great escape with two games remaining. Tottenham can move four points clear if they beat Leeds, who are now safe, tonight.

West Ham v Arsenal LIVE: Latest Premier League reaction

FULL TIME! VAR rules out West Ham equaliser to leave Arsenal on brink of title

Gunners now need two wins against relegated Burnley and Crystal Palace

West Ham remain in relegation zone before Tottenham host Leeds tomorrow

REPORT: How the biggest VAR decision yet might have settled the title race

Jarrod Bowen fumes over controversial VAR call

3 minutes ago

Jarrod Bowen criticises VAR decision that denied West Ham a vital point against Arsenal

A disappointed West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen questioned the video assistant referee (VAR) decision that denied his side a vital point against Arsenal.

Callum Wilson looked to have snatched a draw for the hosts when he half-volleyed home in stoppage time, only for VAR Darren England and referee Chris Kavanagh to chalk the goal off after a review.

The officials ruled that there had been a foul by West Ham’s Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya as he attempted to grasp an initial delivery into the box. Pablo’s arm was across the neck of Raya, while there also appeared to be a pull on his arm.

Bowen criticises VAR decision that denied West Ham a vital point against Arsenal

Bowen’s side saw Callum Wilson’s stoppage time equaliser ruled out for a foul on David Raya

Harry Latham-Coyle11 May 2026 07:15

18 minutes ago

How the biggest VAR decision yet might have won Arsenal the Premier League title

This title race just keeps twisting and turning – Miguel Delaney was at the London Stadium yesterday to take in all of the drama.

How the biggest VAR decision yet might have won Arsenal the Premier League title

West Ham 0-1 Arsenal: The hosts were denied a point as Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time goal was chalked off in a huge moment at both ends of the table

Harry Latham-Coyle11 May 2026 07:00

49 minutes ago

Gary Neville calls late drama the 'biggest moment in VAR history'

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.”

West Ham were denied by VAR

West Ham were denied by VAR (PA)

Harry Latham-Coyle11 May 2026 06:30

1 hour ago

When could Arsenal win the Premier League? Remaining title race fixtures compared to Man City

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)

When could Arsenal win the Premier League? Remaining fixtures compared to Man City

Arsenal are bidding to end their 22-year wait for the Premier League title and the title race is now in their hands

Harry Latham-Coyle11 May 2026 06:00

1 hour ago

West Ham's fixtures to come

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

Remaining fixtures:

17 May - Newcastle (A)

24 May - Leeds (H)

Harry Latham-Coyle11 May 2026 05:30

2 hours ago

Nuno Espirito Santo questions controversial VAR call

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.”

Nuno Espirito Santo was not happy after West Ham's defeat

Nuno Espirito Santo was not happy after West Ham's defeat (Getty)

Harry Latham-Coyle11 May 2026 05:00

3 hours ago

Gary Neville ‘stunned’ by Mikel Arteta’s initial response to Ben White injury

Gary Neville said he was “stunned” by Mikel Arteta’s decision to move Declan Rice out of midfield after Ben White was forced off during the first half of Arsenal’s must-win Premier League match at West Ham due to injury.

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.”

Gary Neville ‘stunned’ by Mikel Arteta’s initial response to Ben White injury

Declan Rice was moved to right back before the change was aborted and Riccardo Calafiori was sacrificed

Jamie Braidwood11 May 2026 04:00

4 hours ago

Mikel Arteta offers worrying Ben White injury update: ‘It doesn’t look good’

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.

White was helped off during the first half of Arsenal’s 1-0 win at West Ham on Sunday after suffering what appeared to be a knee injury in a tackle on Crysencio Summerville.

The right-back was in obvious discomfort, grimacing as a member of the medical staff helped him to the sideline, and was later spotted wearing a knee brace as he departed the ground.

Mikel Arteta offers worrying Ben White injury update: ‘It doesn’t look good’

White was helped off against West Ham and his World Cup chances could now be over

Harry Latham-Coyle11 May 2026 03:00

5 hours ago

Why was Callum Wilson’s goal disallowed by VAR for West Ham against Arsenal?

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

Why was Callum Wilson’s goal disallowed for West Ham against Arsenal?

Wilson appeared to have scored a stoppage time equaliser that would have twisted the title race and relegation battle

Harry Latham-Coyle11 May 2026 02:00

6 hours ago

Mikel Arteta congratulates ‘brave’ officials for ruling out West Ham’s equaliser against Arsenal

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.

But after referee Chis Kavanagh was sent to the on-pitch monitor by VAR, and then watched an extraordinary 17 replays of the flashpoint, he elected to chalk off the equaliser, with Pablo Felipe adjudged to have fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

Arteta praises ‘brave’ officials for ruling out West Ham’s equaliser against Arsenal

Referee Chris Kavanagh ruled out Callum Wilson’s stoppage time goal for a foul on David Raya

Harry Latham-Coyle11 May 2026 01:00

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