In a dramatic finish at the London Stadium, Arsenal secured a vital 1-0 victory over West Ham United, with a late VAR decision denying the hosts an equalizer. The win moves Arsenal closer to their first Premier League title since 2004.
Match Overview
Leandro Trossard scored the only goal of the game in the 83rd minute, his first of 2026, after David Raya made a crucial save to deny Mateus Fernandes. However, the match will be remembered for the controversial ending when West Ham thought they had equalized through Callum Wilson in the 95th minute.
The VAR Drama
West Ham pushed forward for a corner, with goalkeeper Mads Hermansen joining the attack. Substitute Callum Wilson fired a shot that crossed the line, but referee Chris Kavanagh was advised by VAR Darren England to review a potential foul. After a lengthy check, Kavanagh ruled that West Ham's Pablo had fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, disallowing the goal.
Mikel Arteta praised the decision, calling it "brave" and "obvious." He said: "It's an obvious error. The referee made the right call. We had to be patient and trust the process."
Title Race Implications
The win puts Arsenal on the brink of the title, with only Burnley (home) and Crystal Palace (away) remaining. Manchester City's 3-0 win over Brentford earlier had increased the pressure, but Arsenal held firm. West Ham, meanwhile, remain in a relegation battle with Tottenham, who face Leeds on Monday.
Key Moments
- Ben White forced off with an injury after a challenge with Crysencio Summerville.
- Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz came on as substitutes to change the game.
- Odegaard set up Trossard's winner with a clever pass.
- David Raya made several key saves, including a one-on-one stop against Fernandes.
Arsenal now look forward to their Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, but their immediate focus remains on securing the Premier League title.
