West Ham 0-1 Arsenal
by Paul Donovan
at the London Stadium

ARSENAL kept their Premier League challenge on track with this controversial win over West Ham at the London Stadium.

The game turned on a VAR decision deep into added time that denied West Ham a vital equaliser.

Arsenal had taken the lead in the 82nd minute, when Declan Rice fed Martin Odegaard, who cut the ball back for Leandro Trossard to fire home with the help of a deflection off Tomas Soucek.

Then, West Ham looked to have equalised, when a corner came out of a melee of players, enabling Callum Wilson to fire home. But after a long VAR delay, the goal was ruled out for a foul on Arsenal keeper David Raya.

West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo criticised the decision, saying there was a lot of blocking and wrestling.

“There is a lack of consistency, everyone is confused. It is up to referees to say what is allowed and not allowed. They must take responsibility and explain,” an exasperated Espirito Santo said.

On the other side, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta praised the referee for making the right decision. He said it made him realise how big and difficult the referee’s job is.

Arsenal had dominated possession in the first half but failed to create much in terms of clear-cut chances.

An early chance for Riccardo Calafiori, put in by Trossard, was cut out by Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The big defender was then in action again to clear away a Declan Rice free kick.

West Ham’s best chance came when Taty Castellanos met Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross but his header was pushed wide by David Raya.

In the second half, Viktor Gyokeres headed over Bukayo Saka cross.

A one two combination between Pablo and Mateus Fernandes, saw the latter thwarted by the keeper.

So Arsenal march on towards the title, whilst West Ham look doomed to Championship football next season.