The Gunners boss hailed a brave officiating call at the London Stadium after a dramatic stoppage-time VAR intervention rescued three vital points in a tense title race.
Mikel Arteta insisted West Ham’s late equaliser “has to be disallowed” after Arsenal survived a major VAR scare to beat West Ham 1-0 in the Premier League.
Arsenal looked to have been denied a vital win deep into stoppage time when Callum Wilson turned the ball in from close range after David Raya failed to claim a late West Ham delivery under pressure. However, the goal was ruled out after a lengthy VAR review, with referee Chris Kavanagh eventually penalising Pablo for a foul on the Arsenal goalkeeper.
Arteta was clear in his post-match press conference that the officials had reached the right decision.
“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,” Arteta said.
“Away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call, and I think when you look at the action in that way I think it is an obvious error and it is a free-kick and the goal has to be disallowed.”
The Arsenal manager described the decision as “very brave” given the timing of the incident and what was at stake for both clubs.
West Ham were pushing for a point in the closing stages, while Arsenal were trying to protect a narrow lead in the Premier League title race after Leandro Trossard’s late goal had put Arteta’s side ahead.
Arteta said the pressure on officials in those moments should not be underestimated.
“Today I have realised how difficult and how big a referee’s job is,” he added.
“You’re talking about a moment that can decide the history, the course of two massive clubs that they are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives, and the pressure is huge.”
The VAR check took several minutes before Kavanagh was sent to the pitchside monitor and overturned the goal. Arsenal’s players had appealed immediately, with Raya left on the ground after the challenge.
Arteta said the call was consistent with how officials have spoken about similar incidents involving goalkeepers this season.
The decision preserved a crucial Arsenal win at the London Stadium and ensured Trossard’s goal remained the decisive moment. For Arteta, it was also a rare occasion to publicly praise the officiating after a high-pressure call went Arsenal’s way.