'Bad for football' - West Ham's Tomas Soucek laments Arsenal VAR controversy after Premier League defeat. Do you agree?

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West Ham United's disallowed goal in the dying embers of their eventual 1-0 defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal has caused one of the biggest VAR debates yet.

Arteta praises 'brave' referee for 'big call' as Arsenal beat West Ham

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Mass disagreements have been fairly regular since the Premier League's implementation of the video refereeing system in 2019/20.

But rarely have they been this divisive. After all, in terms of the consequences riding on this decision, it could barely have been a bigger call for referee Chris Kavanagh to make when he was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Darren England at the London Stadium.

A draw would have set Arsenal just three points ahead of Manchester City - who have a game in hand - at the top of the table. It also would have pulled West Ham level on points with relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

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But when, after a stoppage of around four minutes, Kavanagh concluded that West Ham's Pablo had fouled Arsenal keeper David Raya among the sea of bodies in the box before Callum Wilson fired in and disallowed the goal, VAR was subjected to yet more scathing criticism.

The key strand of argument has been consistency. Arsenal have developed a reputation for the combative nature of their set pieces this season - take Riccardo Calafiori's goal against Manchester United on the opening day of the season as a primary example.

That was an argument put forward by West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen and reiterated by midfielder Tomas Soucek, who said he is generally a supporter of VAR but could not see the sense in the decision to overturn the goal.

'The referees are confused' - Nuno hits out at VAR controversy

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”There are so many fouls there and especially Arsenal, they do it all the time and they score so many goals with small blocks and I can’t believe that the referee changed the decision,” he said

”I can’t believe it. I saw it after the game what happened and there is like a small challenge and there can be a penalty, there can be everything.

”I think football is disappointed by today because we all want goals, we all want celebrations, we all want this energy and we find something on the computer. Football got hurt today.

”Honestly, I am a fan of VAR because football should be fair because there can be a player a metre offside that nobody can see, there can be something that nobody can see at that moment. It’s tough for the referee but I think [in this case] it’s bad for football.”

The decision was complicated further by the other several instances of grappling in the box.

Declan Rice appeared to be holding both Crysencio Summerville and Konstantinos Mavropanos at different points, while an argument could be made that Pablo only impeded Raya due to being inhibited by challenges from Leandro Trossard and Gabriel.

"I didn't see the images properly with replays to analyse but it's the lack of consistency over the last few seasons," West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said.

"The allowance of grappling, blocking, holding. I think we have lost a bit of what is a foul and what isn't a foul. Previously it would be judged differently so that's what upsets me."

Biggest VAR intervention so far?

With its seismic implications at both ends of the table, it is hard to see a bigger VAR intervention having ever been made in the Premier League.

It could relegate West Ham from the top flight and it could bring Arsenal their first title in more than 20 years.

Add two more variables to the mix: the incident came in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Wilson had just sparked pandemonium in the London Stadium and there must surely be an undeniable offence in order to chalk off a goal that meant so much.

VAR England was at the centre of one of the major refereeing controversies of recent years when he wrongly disallowed Luis Diaz's goal against Spurs in 2023.

It is hard to imagine the pressure felt in those few moments while watching remotely at Stockley Park, but Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta was full of praise for what he felt was a brave decision.

"That is obviously a big decision," Arteta told Sky Sports. "And when I have to be critical [of referees and VAR], I have been.

"Today, I have to congratulate them because I think you have to have a lot of courage and bravery to stand out, to at least give the opportunity to the referee to look at the action, because there is so much chaos and bodies around the box.

"But when you see the picture clearly I think there's no question it's a clear foul."

Spurs are now the only other side left with The Hammers in the relegation dogfight and Roberto De Zerbi's side could move four points clear of trouble against Leeds United on Monday.

Meanwhile, dropping points would have seen the title race swing back to a level playing field with just two matches remaining (three for City).

Pep Guardiola's side will now be relying on Arsenal dropping points against either Burnley or Crystal Palace if they are to make a dramatic return to the top of the table.

And after falling on the right side of Sunday's huge decision, Arsenal may well feel that this season, it is just meant to be.

West Ham to lodge PGMOL complaint

Multiple reports on Monday morning said West Ham would launch a complaint with refereeing body PGMOL in the wake of the disallowed goal.

Speaking after the match, Nuno said it is the responsibility of referees to give clarity over the decisions made in matches amid increasing uncertainty over how much contact is permitted - particularly in set-piece scenarios.

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”They have to solve it. They have to come to the clubs and explain the reasons behind different decisions,” Nuno said. ”We’re upset and sad. This can’t be happening.

”Everybody’s confused. The players can’t understand it. Due to the recent seasons it’s been happening and even the referees don’t know what is a foul, what isn’t a foul. It creates a lot of doubt and speculation around it.”

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