How the biggest VAR decision ever might have won Arsenal the Premier League title
West Ham 0-1 Arsenal: The hosts were denied a point as Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time goal was chalked off in a huge moment at both ends of the table
An arm extended, and one hand on the title. Arsenal are now two victories from ending a 22-year wait , which was about what referee Chris Kavanagh ’s survey of Pablo’s foul on David Raya felt like. A crucial 1-0 was only stopped from becoming a costly 1-1, in the 94th minute, by one man’s interpretation of “wrestling” – as Nuno Espirito Santo put it – at a set-piece.
Even Mikel Arteta , who knows a thing or two about the subject from this season alone, was marvelling at the “huge” pressure on Kavanagh. A VAR decision denied West Ham a point with David Raya deemed to have been fouled (Getty) “Probably today I have realised how difficult and how big is the referee's job,” the Arsenal manager said. “Because you're talking about a moment that can decide the history, the course, of two massive clubs that they are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives.
” Indeed, very few moments in modern football history will rival that one for tension, even if it said a lot about where modern football is. Players from both sides were lined up behind Kavanagh, some arguing with each other about what happened. The emotion was spilling over.
This was the title and relegation on the line, so much coming together in one game - and one moment - in a way the Premier League has actually rarely seen. Chris Kavanagh ruled out West Ham's would-be equaliser against Arsenal (Reuters) There was almost a cinematic element to it. Football has rarely seen it.
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