ARTETA PRAISES VAR AS BOWEN SLAMS CONTROVERSIAL DECISION IN ARSENAL WIN.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the referee and VAR officials for their “brave”
intervention after West Ham had a stoppage-time equaliser ruled out in Sunday’s
dramatic 1-0 defeat at the London Stadium.

The Gunners looked set to drop crucial points in the title race when Callum Wilson
scored after David Raya spilled the ball, but referee Chris Kavanagh overturned the
goal following a VAR review for a foul on the Arsenal goalkeeper by Pablo.

“When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul,” Arteta said.

“They showed courage and bravery to make that call.”

The decision sparked anger from West Ham, with captain Jarrod Bowen insisting the
ruling lacked consistency.

“As a fan, you don’t want to celebrate a goal and then wait eight minutes for it to be
taken away,” Bowen said. “If you give that, you have to give all the holding calls in
the world.”

Leandro Trossard’s late winner proved decisive as Arsenal moved five points clear at
the top of the Premier League table, while West Ham remained deep in relegation
trouble.