Arsenal moved a step closer to their first Premier League title in 22 years after a controversial 1-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday. Leandro Trossard scored the decisive goal with just seven minutes remaining, but the match ended in drama when West Ham's Callum Wilson thought he had equalised in stoppage time.
The goal was disallowed following a VAR review, with referee Chris Kavanagh ruling that West Ham's Pablo Felipe had fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya in the buildup. After reviewing 17 replays, Kavanagh decided to chalk off the goal, sparking debate among fans and pundits alike.
Arteta Defends Officials
Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the match officials for their decision, calling it a "brave" and correct call. "It was an obvious error," Arteta said. "The goalkeeper was clearly fouled, and the officials had the courage to make the right decision. I am very grateful for their professionalism."
The victory keeps Arsenal in the title race, putting pressure on their rivals. However, the controversial nature of the decision has led to criticism from West Ham, who felt they deserved at least a point from the match.
Match Highlights
- Leandro Trossard scored the only goal of the game in the 83rd minute.
- Callum Wilson's stoppage-time goal was disallowed after a VAR review.
- Referee Chris Kavanagh consulted the monitor before overturning the initial decision.
- Arsenal now sit top of the table, pending other results.
The result leaves West Ham frustrated, with manager David Moyes questioning the use of VAR. "We feel hard done by," Moyes said. "It was a soft foul at best, and these decisions can define a season."
Arsenal will look to build on this momentum as they continue their pursuit of the Premier League title, while West Ham will need to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
