Arsenal defeated West Ham United 1-0 [3] on Sunday, May 10, 2026 [4], after VAR disallowed a last-minute equalizer.
The decision is critical because it preserves Arsenal's momentum in the title race, leaving them with a five-point lead [1] at the top of the Premier League.
The controversy occurred in the 95th minute [2] during a corner kick. West Ham managed to find the back of the net, but the goal was overturned following a VAR review. Officials said that West Ham player Pablo fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya during the play [2].
Because the foul was deemed a violation, the goal was ruled invalid [2]. The result ensured that Arsenal secured all three points from the match held at the London Stadium in London, England [3].
West Ham officials have since sought access to the VAR audio to review the reasoning behind the call. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the decision was brave, as the ruling directly impacted the final score and the league standings [1].
The match was marked by high tension as both teams fought for positioning in the closing stages. The 1-0 victory [3] keeps Arsenal in a strong position to secure the championship, while West Ham is left to contest the legitimacy of the stoppage-time ruling.
“VAR disallowed West Ham's stoppage‑time equaliser after judging that West Ham player Pablo fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya”
This ruling underscores the continued volatility of VAR in high-stakes matches. By upholding the 1-0 result, the league maintains a clear gap between the top two contenders, potentially shifting the psychological advantage to Arsenal as the season nears its conclusion.
