Even days after the event, Arsenal's dramatic win against West Ham United is still creating headlines. The Gunners took a massive step towards the Premier League title thanks to Leandro Trossard's late strike, but there was a huge VAR call in the dying moments.
The roof blew off the London Stadium after Callum Wilson appeared to smash home a valuable equaliser in their battle to avoid relegation. However, a five-minute VAR check concluded with the goal being disallowed due to a foul by Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
David Raya Related
What David Raya Told Leandro Trossard About West Ham’s Disallowed Goal vs Arsenal
West Ham United had a late goal ruled out against Arsenal for a foul on David Raya, who spoke to Leandro Trossard during the VAR review.
A lot was happening in the penalty area, with players grappling and falling to the floor everywhere. Many agreed that the correct decision was reached, while others, like Peter Schmeichel, were left fuming with the officials.
West Ham Star on Disallowed Goal vs Arsenal
West Ham Players vs Arsenal
One man with a good idea of what it's like being a goalkeeper in the current Premier League is Raya's opposite number on the day, Mads Hermansen. The West Ham shot-stopper wasn't happy with how the decision was made, claiming similar jostling goes unpunished regularly.
Speaking after the game, he explained (per Metro): "If you ask any goalkeeper in the league, if he’s been illegally blocked, pulled, pushed on corners this season, I think you will not find anyone who has not experienced this."
Questioning the choice to award a free-kick on this occasion, the Dane continued: "So to give this, I’m not sure I understand why."
Mentioning everything happening in the box, he added: "Of course, we watched it afterwards and we can see there’s shirt pulls on (Konstantinos) Mavropanos, shirt pulls on (Tomas) Soucek, even shirt pulls on Pablo before the goal. So to pick this situation…"
"You know, I agree it’s a foul. You can give the foul on the goalkeeper, definitely" Hermansen admitted. However, he still doesn't understand the inconsistencies:
"But (with) what has been given during this season of goals with illegal blocks and illegal pulls and pushing and stuff on goalkeepers, I don’t understand why that’s been given. That’s all."
Hermansen: 'I Spoke With David...'
David Raya
Goalkeepers always have conversations with each other after matches. Given the unique nature of their roles, they often stick together despite being on opposing teams.
It appears Raya and Hermansen were on the same page after the controversial incident on Sunday. The West Ham star claimed he spoke with the Spaniard. "I spoke with David after the game and I think we have the same experience on this matter during this season," he said.
Reiterating that Raya was within his rights to want a foul, he claimed both men have been frustrated at how similar situations are officiated differently. "Because, of course, he has every right to ask for a free-kick or a foul on him. But I think you can find a lot of situations during this season where it’s been different."