There's every chance the 2025/26 Premier League season will be defined by one massive VAR call. In a strange way, it could be Arsenal's very own 'Arguerrooooo' moment.
Indeed, the Gunners moved one step closer to the title with a 1-0 win away at West Ham United. Leandro Trossard scored the only goal of the game with 83 minutes on the clock.
In the dying embers of the game, Callum Wilson appeared to have found a leveller, which would have been vital for the Hammers' relegation hopes, but VAR informed Chris Kavanagh to check the monitor. After a lengthy pause, over four minutes, it was decided that Pablo had fouled David Raya.
After the game, it seems all former officials – such as Mark Clattenburg, Darren Cann and Mark Halsey – all agree that the goal was correctly ruled out, but some have continued to complain about the goal.
Arsenal Players Were Also 'Holding' During West Ham Corner
Notably, former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given questioned why Arsenal players were not penalised for 'holding' West Ham players. Speaking on Match of the Day, he said:
"The other thing is Gabriel is holding, Odegaard is holding, Trossard is holding before the foul even happens on Raya. When does the referee decide that's the foul he wants to pick and not the previous foul?"
However, a rules expert has now explained why VAR did not punish Arsenal here, and only focused on the West Ham infringement on Raya.
Dale Johnson Explains VAR Call Against West Ham
Arsenal and West Ham players during VAR review
Arsenal and West Ham players during VAR review
Writing for BBC Sport, PGMOL insider Dale Johnson revealed that VAR official Darren England and referee Kavanagh did actually have to take into account other possible fouls, noting: "Arsenal have been the kings of it all season, crowding and surrounding goalkeepers at corners, finding ways to create space and score goals from set-pieces. That they benefit from it in such a crucial way won't be lost on some.
"But it is hard to argue that the Spain international was not impeded. Without the foul contact by Pablo, Raya would surely have had a simple catch. Pablo had his arm across Raya and he was holding on to the goalkeeper's left arm too.
"England checked the other possible fouls too, by Trossard on Pablo and Rice on Summerville. Importantly, the first foul that had a direct impact on play was Pablo on Raya. You cannot give a penalty for a foul that may come after this."
He added: "England had to get that right - and he did. Referee Kavanagh spent one minute 15 seconds at the monitor. He too would have known the consequences of his final decision. In total, four minutes 11 seconds potentially deciding the title and the final relegation place."
While it won't go down well with many West Ham fans, or those who are desperate for Arsenal to not win the Premier League, Johnson's explanation clearly details why only Pablo was punished in the hectic penalty box incident.
Despite all this, the Hammers have decided to take action and will complain to the PGMOL about the decision. Nuno Espirito Santo questioned the call directly after the match, noting: "Everybody’s confused. The players can’t understand it. Due to the recent seasons it’s been happening and even the referees don’t know what is a foul, what isn’t a foul. It creates a lot of doubt and speculation around it.”
However, it's unclear what West Ham expects from the PGMOL now, with Kavanagh following the correct protocol before making the right call.