Arsenal edged closer to their first Premier League title in 22 years on Sunday with a 1-0 win at West Ham United, secured after a late VAR review ruled out a Hammers equaliser in what Gary Neville called “the biggest moment in VAR history.”
The Gunners know that two more victories from their remaining matches against Burnley and Crystal Palace will guarantee they are crowned English champions for the first time since 2004. Mikel Arteta’s side are now five points clear at the top of the table, with Manchester City holding a game in hand after beating Brentford 3-0 on Saturday.
The decisive moment at London Stadium came deep into stoppage time when West Ham thought they had snatched a 1-1 draw, only for VAR official Darren England to recommend referee Chris Kavanagh disallow the goal for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya. The review took two-and-a-half minutes and the referee was shown 17 different replays of the incident. “It’s the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “Arsenal Football Club’s first title in 22 years could rest on this. This is one of those moments where Arsenal might think their name is on the trophy.”
Roy Keane added: “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. Because the goalkeeper had such a big part to play, I think it is a foul.”
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo said after the match: “Due to the circumstances and the way it finished, we are all upset. Even the referees don’t know what is a foul and what is not a foul, it creates doubt. We made a very good match. Arsenal is a tough team. We lost the game.”
The denial of the goal has big ramifications at both ends of the table. Arsenal’s fate remains in their hands and they are now two wins away from clinching the league. West Ham’s 18th loss of the campaign ensured the safety of both Nottingham Forest and Leeds, meaning their only hope of avoiding the drop now rests on Tottenham taking their place in the relegation zone.
Arsenal went into Sunday’s match knowing victory would take them to within touching distance of the title following Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Everton on Monday. “If Arsenal beat West Ham next Sunday, they win the league,” Jamie Carragher said on Monday Night Football before the match. Peter Crouch added: “I can’t see Arsenal dropping another point now. They’ll beat West Ham, Burnley have gone, and Palace have got their eyes on other things with the Europa Conference League final. I think it’s Arsenal’s title.”
Arteta had urged his side to refocus after the emotional high of reaching the Champions League final with a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. “Stay present, live in the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire we have shown all season, or more,” Arteta said on Friday. “We are closer and closer and everything we do is going to matter.”
Arsenal’s remaining fixtures are at home to already-relegated Burnley and away to Crystal Palace on May 24, three days before Palace contest the Conference League final. City have two games left, including a match against Palace on Wednesday.
The Gunners have stumbled towards the finish line in recent weeks, with a 4-1 defeat at Samsunspor delaying their title party, but Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres returned to form in a 3-0 win over Fulham on May 2. Arsenal can also equal a 66-year-old English league record if they score five or more goals at London Stadium, having won 6-0 and 5-2 in their last two visits.
West Ham, 18th in the table and a point below the safety zone, are unbeaten at home in the league since January, holding Manchester United and Manchester City to draws and beating Everton. Arteta said of the clash: “Understanding the conditions of the game for both clubs, it’s huge, obviously. We know the importance of it, we know what we want and what we have to do to win the game.”
