VAR had its biggest moment in Premier League history as Arsenal held on to beat West Ham 1-0 after Callum Wilson’s 95th-minute equaliser was ruled out for a foul on David Raya.
Leandro Trossard’s late winner set the Gunners on course for a crucial win in the Premier League title race, but with time nearly up Wilson fired home from a corner to send the London Stadium into a frenzy.
However, the VAR spotted the arm of West Ham’s Pablo across Raya’s neck as the Arsenal goalkeeper fumbled the initial delivery into the box. Referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the monitor and disallowed the goal.
“I think it’s a foul,” said Sky Sports Gary Neville. “He’s holding Raya. It is the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League.”
Pablo grabs the arm of David Raya before Callum Wilson (not pictured) scores a goal that is later disallowed by VAR
Had it stood, Wilson’s goal would have cut Arsenal’s lead at the top to three points – and Manchester City could have returned to the top of the table with a win in their game in hand over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.
But instead, Arsenal’s lead is at five points – and with relegated Burnley at home and a final day visit to Crystal Palace remaining this season – they have taken a big step to a first Premier League title in 22 years.
West Ham, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone and Tottenham could go four points clear of them if they beat safe Leeds, live on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
More to follow.
WATCH: Trossard’s winner after Raya’s wonder save
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Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard scores a huge goal to give them the lead at West Ham
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Arsenal keeper David Raya makes a huge save to deny Mateus Fernandes the opening goal
How Arteta’s bizarre substitutions nearly cost Arsenal
It was a tricky afternoon for Arsenal for 83 minutes – mostly due to Mikel Arteta’s own doing. After a dominant start which saw Trossard hit the bar twice from the same corner, Riccardo Calafiori go close – it all threatened to unravel after Ben White’s injury.
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Arsenal came agonisingly close from a corner as Leandro Trossard saw a header brilliantly saved by Mads Hermansen before nodding the rebound onto the crossbar from close range, with West Ham somehow surviving the scramble in their box.
Arteta brought on Martin Zubimendi – moving Declan Rice to right-back. But as West Ham grew into the game, Arteta reversed that decision at half-time – bringing Cristhian Mosquera on to move Rice back into midfield.
Then Arteta took Zubimendi off midway through the second half in another U-turn, that led to West Ham getting even more confidence.
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Arsenal keeper David Raya makes a huge diving stop to deny Taty Castellanos the opener.
Even though Arsenal had more shots, the disjointed display nearly led to a West Ham opener when Fernandes went through on goal for West Ham in the area. Raya produced his stunning close-range stop – but that was not even his last big action of the game.
Arsenal found a way in their biggest Premier League goal in 22 years. Some excellent interplay with Martin Odegaard saw him enter the penalty area and tee up Trossard who curled in at the near post. The Arsenal away end went bedlam, as Arteta ran down the West Ham touchline.
But there would be more drama to come. A West Ham corner was flapped at by Raya and Wilson smashed home from the loose ball. Then the goal was ruled out – but the talking of this game is far from over.
Story of the match in stats
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