arsenal fc
Judging by some of the hyperbole and vituperation that have been directed at them in the past few days, Arsenal have been guilty of killing Bambi’s mother or assassinating JFK, rather than getting the better of a VAR decision.
But even most neutral observers have conceded that David Raya had been fouled from the corner that led to West Ham’s equaliser in the Premier League at the weekend.
And when even Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi, hardly the most unbiased of observers, was led to admit that it was 200% a foul.
And now the PGMOL and referee’s chief Howard Webb has confirmed that the decision was correct, whilst the audio of the discussions between the referee and the VAR booth which have now been released confirm that the decision was reached in a calm and logical fashion.
Did Arsenal get the benefit of a soft decision? Yes. Have there been countless other goals of a similar nature been scored in the Premier League this season and been allowed to stand. Yes.
But one does not mean the other cannot necessarily be right.
The truth is that apart from West Ham fans who are entitled to feel bitter because the result could cost them their Premier League status – although Spurs then did them the favour by dropping points at home to Leeds – much of the narrative has been driven by those with an agenda.
There appear to be countless keyboard warriors and self-appointed social media pundits who just do not want to see Arsenal crowned League champions. So any straw that can be clutched at to imply they have cheated their way to the title will be clutched at eagerly.