Home ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE EPL Mikel Arteta Hails 'Brave' VAR Call as Arsenal Edge Past West Ham

Mikel Arteta Hails 'Brave' VAR Call as Arsenal Edge Past West Ham

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Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta celebrating after Arsenal beat west ham in controversial late drama  

A disallowed stoppage-time goal for West Ham secured Arsenal a vital 1-0 win, putting Mikel Arteta’s side on the brink of the Premier League title.


Arteta commends officials for 'courage and bravery' after late call secures Arsenal win at West Ham...


Mikel Arteta lauded referee Chris Kavanagh and the VAR team for their “brave” call to rule out Callum Wilson’s late equaliser, calling it a “clear foul” in Arsenal’s controversial 1-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday.


It looked like Arsenal’s Premier League title push had taken a hit when Wilson finished in stoppage time after David Raya spilled the ball, but the goal was eventually overturned.




After a VAR review, Kavanagh went to the pitch-side monitor and disallowed the strike for a foul by Pablo on Raya.


West Ham were left incensed by the decision, though Arteta said the correct call was made.


“Today I have to congratulate them. They showed a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action,” he said.


“When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul. They were very brave. The action deserved that.


“But today I realised, for the referees to be in that position and make that call and change the course of one of the two teams, what a responsibility. What a big call.”


“In my opinion, it is very clear. They are the rules, and we ask for consistency.”


The contentious call left Arsenal within touching distance of a first Premier League title in 22 years.


They now lead second-placed Manchester City by five points, with City set to host Crystal Palace in their game in hand on Wednesday.


Arsenal can seal the championship if they beat Burnley at home on May 18th and then win away at Palace on May 24th.


Premier League: Where Every Moment Matters

“I am certainly going to remember this day. It was a rollercoaster of emotions,” Arteta said.


“We knew it was going to be tough day; West Ham are fighting for their lives, and we are trying to win the Premier League.


“So much at stake. We started the game so well and had three big chances. Then the injury of Ben White, we had to make a change and adapt, we had to make difficult decisions.


“We threw everything we had to try and win it. We were rewarded for that courage.”


With the long-awaited title now within reach, Arteta highlighted David Raya and Martin Odegaard for their decisive roles.


Raya kept the game level at 0-0 with a superb reflex save using his foot to deny Mateus Fernandes from close range.


Odegaard, who’d seen limited minutes under Arteta lately, came off the bench and set up Trossard’s winner with a smart run and well-timed pass.


“If you want the chance to win major trophies, you need moments and actions, and the individuals creating those magic moments, and David certainly - like Martin Odegaard - created a moment to win us the game,” said Arteta, who has also led Arsenal to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30th.

 



“Martin made an incredible action to win us the game after David's save. In the end, this is the beauty of the Premier League.”


Asked how he felt about Arsenal being two games from title glory, Arteta added: “Now we leave and enjoy what we have done today, because as I said, it has been an incredible week.


“Those players, the way they are standing in front of the opportunity and showing resilience, it is remarkable.”




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