How the biggest VAR decision yet might have won Arsenal the Premier League title
Even Mikel Arteta, who knows a thing or two about the subject from this season alone, was marvelling at the “huge” pressure on Chris Kavanagh.
“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.
Miguel Delaney11 May 2026 16:05
Myles Lewis-Skelly warns ‘the job is not done’ in Arsenal title pursuit after dramatic win at West Ham
Myles Lewis-Skelly has issued a stark reminder that Arsenal’s “job is not done” as the club intensifies its pursuit of a first Premier League title since 2004.
The young midfielder’s comments underscore the high stakes as the Gunners approach their final two league fixtures.
Arsenal took a significant step in the title race with a controversial 1-0 victory against West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday, a match where the hosts had a stoppage-time equaliser disallowed by VAR.
Jamie Braidwood11 May 2026 15:05
West Ham demand answers from referee chiefs over controversial disallowed goal in Arsenal loss
West Ham United are formally contacting the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) to express significant concerns regarding their controversial disallowed goal during Sunday’s match against Arsenal.
The decision, which saw a potential equaliser ruled out, could prove critical for the Hammers in their bid for Premier League survival.
The incident occurred when officials, following a VAR review, determined that Gunners goalkeeper David Raya had been fouled by Pablo Felipe at a corner, just moments before Callum Wilson smashed the ball into the net. Referee Chris Kavanagh subsequently overturned his initial decision, denying West Ham a crucial goal.
Jamie Braidwood11 May 2026 14:05
Football lawmakers set to review grappling at corners after West Ham-Arsenal VAR controversy
Football’s lawmakers are poised to address the contentious issue of grappling at corners and other set-pieces, with discussions expected to commence after this summer’s World Cup.
The move comes amid growing frustration and debate within the Premier League, sparked by a series of controversial decisions.
Jamie Gardner11 May 2026 13:05
West Ham goalkeeper baffled by disallowed goal against Arsenal as he blasts VAR
West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen has voiced strong criticism over the inconsistent application of VAR, after his side were denied a late equaliser against Arsenal due to a contentious foul on opposing goalkeeper David Raya.
Speaking after the match, Hermansen expressed his bewilderment at the decision, arguing that such contact is commonplace and often unpunished.
“If you ask any goalkeeper in the league, if he’s been illegally blocked, pulled, pushed on corners this season I think you will not find anyone who has not experienced this. So to give this, I’m not sure I understand why,” he stated.
Jamie Braidwood11 May 2026 12:35
Peter Schmeichel lashes out at Arsenal VAR call against West Ham: ‘Wrong on so many levels’
Peter Schmeichel vented his “anger” over the call to disallow West Ham’s stoppage-time equaliser against Arsenal – insisting the Gunners would “never be top of the league if that’s a free-kick.”
Dramatic scenes at the end of Sunday’s clash at the London Stadium saw Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time goal disallowed after a foul on Gunners keeper David Raya and following a lengthy VAR review.
“That decision today, it’s just so wrong on so many levels,” Schmeichel told Viaplay after the game. “What really makes me angry is that Arsenal would never be top of the league if that’s a free kick.”
Kieran Jackson11 May 2026 12:05
Mikel Arteta offers worrying Ben White injury update: ‘It doesn’t look good’
Mikel Arteta conceded that Ben White’s injury “doesn’t look good” with the Arsenal defender’s chances of travelling to the World Cup perhaps now in doubt.
“We don’t know but it doesn’t look good at all,” Arteta said of the injury. “He needs some further testing tomorrow probably and then we will know.”
The Arsenal manager also suggested that Riccardo Calafiori had also picked up an issue during the game. The Italian was replaced at half time as Arteta twice reshuffled his backline, first moving Declan Rice to the right side of the back four before introducing Cristhian Mosquera after Calafiori’s withdrawal.
The defensive pair’s absence would be a major blow to Arteta ahead of the final two Premier League games and the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on 30 May. Jurrien Timber, who can play on either side of a back four, is currently absent, too.
Ben White suffered an injury in Arsenal’s win over West Ham (Reuters)
Jamie Braidwood11 May 2026 11:35
When could Arsenal win the Premier League title?
It’s advantage Arsenal in the title race. If Manchester City fail to beat Crystal Palace at home on Wednesday, it would mean the Gunners would be able to lift the title at the Emirates with a victory over relegated Burnley in their final home game of the season, that’s on Monday 18 May.
If Man City beat Crystal Palace and Arsenal get the job done against Burnley, they would win the title if Man City then fail to beat Bournemouth in a tough looking trip to the south coast on Tuesday 19 May. That game will take place just a few days after the FA Cup final against Chelsea.
(PA)
Jamie Braidwood11 May 2026 11:05
On Sky Sports, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane criticised West Ham attacker Pablo for a “poor foul” on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and said he should have kept his hands down.
“The one thing you say when you go up, VAR are going to check everything, do not put your hands on the goalkeeper! Certainly don’t leave it on for three or four seconds.
“There is all sorts going on, but because the goalkeeper had such a big part to play, I think it is a foul. It was really silly from West Ham. Don’t make it such an obvious foul because they are going to check.”
(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood11 May 2026 10:35
‘If I were a West Ham fan I’d be a bit angry’: Gary Lineker on VAR decision
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, former England striker Gary Lineker said it was “probably a foul” but questioned why previous grappling calls in the West Ham-Arsenal match went unpunished.
“(It was) probably a foul, but that’s not quite what they are supposed to be, is it? If I were a West Ham fan, or indeed a Manchester City fan, I think I’d be a little bit angry, because there was a lot of fouling going on at that corner,” Lineker said.
“There was a lot of grappling by Arsenal players on the West Ham attacks. I know goalkeepers are protected more than anyone else, and it was probably a foul on him, but do you look at what happened before when people are being held which is probably a more obvious foul?”
Jamie Braidwood11 May 2026 10:15