LONDON - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta credited referee Chris Kavanagh with showing courage after a pivotal VAR decision secured a 1-0 win over West Ham United, keeping the Gunners on track for their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Leandro Trossard scored his first goal since December to give Arsenal the lead. Deep into stoppage time, West Ham thought they had equalized when Callum Wilson fired home from a corner. However, after a near three-minute VAR check, Kavanagh reviewed the play and disallowed the goal, ruling that West Ham substitute Pablo had impeded goalkeeper David Raya.
"The referee and VAR had a lot of courage to stop and analyze the action," Arteta said. "It's an obvious error. It's a free kick, and the goal has to be disallowed."
The win restores Arsenal's five-point lead over Manchester City with two games remaining - against Burnley and Crystal Palace. If City stumbles, Arsenal can clinch the title next weekend.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was crestfallen and criticized the lack of consistency in officiating at corners. "There is lots of blocking, grappling, and holding, and we don't understand what a foul is anymore," he said. "It's a lack of consistency. Everyone is confused."
West Ham remains 18th, four points from safety.