“This is the second time they’re doing this to my Darling club. They did it against Newcastle and today again, against WestHam”- Arsenal Legend Patrick Vierra angrily lamented over West Ham’s controversial goal for another time again this season after VAR incompetence
“This is the second time they’re doing this to my Darling club. They did it against Newcastle and today again, against WestHam”- Arsenal Legend Patrick Vierra angrily lamented over West Ham’s controversial goal for another time again this season
Arsenal is embroiled in yet another VAR saga, with the Gunners certain that a goal scored by West Ham should have been disallowed.
On Thursday, Arsenal were dealt more VAR misery when West Ham seized the lead in a manner similar to Mikel Arteta.
Tomas Soucek fired West Ham United into a stunning lead in their Premier League battle on Thursday night, adding to Arsenal’s VAR woes. After a protracted VAR check that seemed guaranteed to stir new controversy, Soucek’s sloppy opener silenced the Emirates Stadium 13 minutes into the London derby.
Arsenal came into the game hoping to reclaim their Premier League lead over Liverpool and respond to Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Everton on Wednesday.
West Ham, on the other hand, prevented a dominant Arsenal start by stringing together a slick play that culminated when William Saliba failed to intercept an Emerson Palmieri cross from the left.
The clearing within the area was then botched by Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Magalhaes, resulting in Jarrod Bowen putting the ball back across goal for Soucek to fire past David Raya.
After a several-minute-long VAR review, Michael Oliver stood by his on-field ruling, determining that Bowen had narrowly maintained the ball in play on the goal line.
However, due to the Hammers forward’s body covering the primary camera’s vision, replays couldn’t reveal conclusive confirmation whether the ball had left the pitch or not.
Because of the lack of preparation, it culminated in yet another ludicrous event.
Due to the lack of overhead viewpoints, it resulted in another ludicrous occurrence for a decision that has already caused Arsenal agony this season – despite the Premier League’s standing as the best in the world.
Arsenal conceded in a similar fashion in their 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United at the beginning of November, prompting Mikel Arteta’s memorable post-match outburst at St James’ Park.
Joe Willock was ruled to have held the ball in play near the left corner flag for a fraction of a second before Anthony Gordon steered Joelinton’s headed pass into the goal.
Arteta called the referees a “disgrace” after full-time, and Arsenal released a letter urging PGMOL to “address the standard of officiating.”
Soucek’s shock opening appeared to rattle Arsenal, who looked unimpressive for the rest of the first half in north London.
