Mikel Arteta congratulated the “brave” match officials for overturning an “obvious error” in Arsenal’s controversial 1-0 win against West Ham, which edges them closer to a first Premier League title in 22 years.
Leandro Trossard fired Arteta’s side ahead with just seven minutes remaining before Callum Wilson appeared to deal a hammer blow to the Gunners’ championship aspirations – and a crucial boost to West Ham’s hopes of survival – in stoppage time.
But after referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the on-pitch monitor by VAR, and then watched an extraordinary 17 replays of the flashpoint, he elected to chalk off the equaliser, with Pablo Felipe adjudged to have fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
West Ham were furious with the decision, but for Arsenal it takes them five points clear of Manchester City, leaving them only two matches away from the title.
Arteta said: “It was a call from the ref that is very brave, but very consistent with what they’ve been talking about all season.
“When I have to be critical, I have been. And today I have to praise them, at least for giving the option to a referee to decide, away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call. And when you look at the action in that way, it is an obvious error.
“It is a free-kick, and the goal has to be disallowed. So congratulations, because they made a big call in very, very difficult circumstances.
“Today I have realised how difficult and how big the referee’s job is. Because you’re talking about a moment that can decide the history, and the course, of two massive clubs that are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives. And the pressure is huge.”
