Arsenal legend David Seaman has praised the 'ball' and 'bravery' of goalkeeper David Raya, whose key decision contributed to a seismic 1-0 win over West Ham United. The Gunners are now just two victories away from securing their first Premier League title in 22 years after Leandro Trossard's late strike, combined with a timely VAR intervention, secured three vital points.
Raya's Heroics
Moments before Trossard's goal, Raya produced a superb save to keep the scores level, standing up just long enough to deny Mateus Fernandes. Deep in stoppage time, Raya was again at the centre of action when his attempt to collect Jarrod Bowen's corner was disrupted by a combination of Pablo and Jean-Clair Todibo, before Callum Wilson lashed the ball over the line from close range. Referee Chris Kavanagh, after lengthy deliberation with VAR Darren England, ruled out the goal. According to Seaman, Raya's traditional goalkeeping technique was key.
Seaman wrote on X: 'Massive credit to David Raya tonight – if he had tried to punch that ball, he might not have got away it but because he had the balls and the bravery to come out to catch it, the foul was correctly given!'
Raya's 18th clean sheet of an impressive personal campaign secured back-to-back Golden Glove awards, prompting Seaman to tweet 'Legend' after the Spain international acknowledged the accolade.
Arteta Praises Officials
Mikel Arteta congratulated the match officials for overturning an 'obvious error' that could have had catastrophic consequences in the title race. He 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.'
West Ham's Frustration
For relegation-threatened West Ham, the disallowed goal leaves them a point behind Tottenham, having played a game more. Forward Jarrod Bowen told Sky Sports: 'We had our big moment, and we thought we'd got back into the game. (But if you) look at something for five minutes, you're trying to find something. Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players. There's lots of holding and grappling that goes on in the box. Are you going to look at those every time and give a penalty? Because that's the only way that is the right way to do it. It's a corner kick, it's physical, it's the Premier League. There's going to be contact and tussles. People are going to say I sound bitter but I'm just being honest. I'm sure we could go back through every single game and see goalkeepers getting fouled and not getting decisions. If you're going to give it, give it for every single thing every week.'
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo matched Bowen's fury. He said: 'You look at every corner in the Premier League and something like this is happening, not just today, but on all the pitches. I am talking about the lack of consistency. The players are confused and frustrated, and they don't understand it. It is upsetting. It is up to them to solve it, there is a referee and VAR, but the referees confuse themselves.'
