“VARsenal”. This Monday morning, the London club was given a new nickname across the Channel. It must be said that their 1-0 victory yesterday against West Ham caused controversy after an equalizer denied to the Hammers by video assistance at the end of the match. A crucial match both for the Gunners, still in the race to win the title, and their opponents, who are fighting to maintain their position. The British press generally chose its side this Monday. Most of the media take a position for West Ham, like the Telegraph. “Arsenal have one foot in the Premier League after a lucky win against West Ham. Introduced to the Premier League in 2019, VAR was the most important in its turbulent history. She may have decided not only the title, but also the relegation.
The publication adds: “yes, it was a momentous match, fraught with consequences, dramatic. If Arsenal are champions, they will certainly be able to thank VAR. It’s hard to imagine an incident having had such a profound impact. Especially since it happened in stoppage time. We always want justice to be done. But is it desirable for seasons to be played out on this kind of situation? Either way, the result is far from satisfactory. Video assistant referee Darren England’s decision to ask Christopher Kavanagh to check whether West Ham substitute Callum Wilson’s goal should be allowed was undoubtedly monumental and worth several million pounds. Ultimately, it leaned in favor of Arsenal.
A decision worth its weight in gold
THE Daily Mail also returned to this fact of play. “Nuno’s side thought they had equalized thanks to a Callum Wilson strike, but after 17 watches of slow motion, video referee Darren England ruled out the goal after spotting striker Pablo’s hand on the arm of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.” An injustice for certain consultants, including Peter Schmeichel. The former United goalkeeper said: “This decision is simply scandalous in many ways. What really makes me angry is that Arsenal would never be top of the league if a free kick had been awarded. That’s how they scored so many goals: by blocking players, by holding them back, by doing all kinds of things, and then it comes to this… it takes five minutes for VAR. »
The Dane continues: “Darren England, the VAR referee, he needs five minutes. He restarts the slow motion again and again. This, in itself, casts enormous doubt on this decision. It can’t be a free kick, it’s impossible. I find it so unfair, I don’t understand why all of a sudden it’s a free kick, because no team has benefited from it so far. throughout the season. This is all just nonsense, and today’s decision is really wrong in many ways. » An opinion which is also that of Nuno Espirito Santo, the Hammers coach. “We don’t all understand what constitutes misconduct and what isn’t. I think even referees get lost sometimes.”
West Ham and England scandalized
The Protugais, whose club plans to request the VAR audio and file a complaint, adds: “in recent seasons, we have seen a lot of holds, players hanging on almost like wrestling. And it’s annoying. Sometimes it’s sanctioned, sometimes not. And today it’s frustrating. Because if you watch every Premier League game, what happens? Where is the line between what is considered a fault and what is not? I’m talking about the lack of consistency, I think everyone is lost. So I think it’s up to the referees to dictate what constitutes a foul, what is allowed and what is not. Because it seems the rules have changed. And everyone is confused and frustrated. The players don’t understand.”
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen believes it was a very bad decision. “Goalkeepers are better protected than outfield players. There is a lot of contact and fighting in the box. The goalie should expect contact. There will inevitably be duels. If you look at the screen for five minutes, you’re bound to find something. I’m sure if you look long enough you’ll find something too. Do I think this is the right decision? No.” Some consultants, like Roy Keane, believe this decision was right. “The only thing to say is: the VAR will check everything, so don’t touch the goalkeeper! And above all, don’t do it for three or four seconds. It was really stupid of West Ham. You should not make such an obvious mistake, because it will be examined.”
A PL ranking influenced by VAR
For former referee Mark Halsey, this will serve as an example. “In my opinion, they (the referees, editor’s note) made the right decision. There were two mistakes. The pressure on Darren and Chris was obvious. It was a momentous decision, given the stakes. So, in my opinion, they made the right decision. But for me, we need to crack down more on these dangerous catches. » In the winning camp, Mikel Arteta congratulated the referee. “Today (yesterday) I realized how difficult and important the referee’s job is. Because we are talking about a moment which can decide the history of two immense clubs. I think it was a very courageous decision, but perfectly consistent with what they’ve been talking about throughout the season. And today, I must congratulate them, at least for having given a referee the opportunity to decide. Far from the spotlight and chaos, to allow him to make the right decision with complete clarity. And when you look at the action from this angle, I think it was a blatant error, so the goal must be disallowed. » What is certain is that this victory clearly does business for the Gunners, leading the championship with 79 points, 5 more than Manchester City who have a match in hand to play.
Arsenal could be crowned champions of England with victories against Burnley and Crystal Palace. But according to data experts at AceOdds, who were contacted by The Sunthe state of the championship would be a bit different without the controversial interventions of VAR. “Arteta and his teammates would remain at the top of the championship, but their lead would be even smaller than it already is. Instead of a five-point gap, with a game in hand for Manchester City, just one point would separate the two teams. If his team manages to win their late match, the title would then be in the hands of Pep Guardiola, who would go into the last three matches with a two-point lead. This decision was also difficult to accept among the Sktblues. “Manchester City were rocked by a controversial VAR decision late in the match during Arsenal’s trip to West Ham, with a Hammers goal disallowed in added time for a foul committed ahead of the action (…) If Manchester City can still catch up with Arsenal, the decision to overturn West Ham’s late goal could well have a considerable impact on the champions’ destiny this season”assures Manchester Evening News.
