Former Peter Schmeichel goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has become the latest high-profile figure to question the controversial VAR decision which denied West Ham a dramatic equaliser against Arsenal at the London Stadium.
The Danish treble winner was working pitchside as a pundit for the fixture and made it abundantly clear after the match that he believed Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time goal should have stood.
West Ham thought they had rescued what could prove to be a priceless point in their battle for Premier League survival when Wilson found the net in the 95th minute. However, VAR intervened and ruled the goal out after deciding Pablo had fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya during the corner.
The decision left Hammers fans furious, particularly because replays appeared to show multiple players blocking and wrestling each other in the same incident. There was also a strong argument that Leandro Trossard actually forced Pablo into Raya’s path rather than the West Ham striker deliberately impeding the goalkeeper.
Schmeichel highlights Arsenal set-piece tactic
Schmeichel’s frustration centred less on the specific contact itself and more on what he clearly views as a huge inconsistency in officiating.
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“Arsenal have been blocking the opponent’s goalkeeper all season long, they would NEVER be on top of the league if we disallow these goals!”
It is difficult to ignore the wider point being made. Arsenal have regularly used aggressive blocking tactics from corners and set pieces throughout the season without punishment, yet West Ham found themselves on the wrong end of an intervention which could now have enormous consequences at both ends of the table.
Decision could define West Ham’s season
The bitter reality for West Ham is that none of the outrage changes the result. The goal will not be reinstated and the Hammers remain staring at relegation following a defeat which we didn’t deserve.
However, because the match carried significance both in the title race and the relegation battle, the decision has drawn huge scrutiny from pundits and supporters alike across the football world.
As I said last night, it’s the double standards which feel hardest to swallow. Arsenal appear to benefit from physical “rugby-style” blocks on a weekly basis, yet West Ham may end up relegated because of one marginal interpretation which suddenly crossed the line.