“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 another VAR incompetence
For the second time, they are mistreating my Darling club. They accomplished it tonight against West Ham and yesterday against Newcastle.- Arsenal legend Patrick Vierra has expressed his displeasure with West Ham’s disputed goal yet again this season.
Arsenal believes a West Ham goal should have been disallowed, and they are embroiled in yet another VAR argument.
West Ham seized the lead in a way reminiscent of Mikel Arteta’s, causing Arsenal even more VAR problems on Thursday.
Tomas Soucek gave West Ham United a dominating lead in their Premier League match on Thursday night, compounding Arsenal’s problems with VAR. Soucek’s sloppy first goal stunned the audience 13 minutes into the London derby at Emirates Stadium, following a drawn-out VAR check that was sure to stir further dispute.
Arsenal came into the game hoping to respond to Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Everton on Wednesday and reclaim the Premier League lead over Liverpool.
West Ham, on the other hand, pulled together a wonderful play that ended when William Saliba failed to intercept an Emerson Palmieri cross on the left, preventing Arsenal from taking a dominating lead.
After Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Magalhaes made a mistake in clearing the area, Jarrod Bowen pushed the ball back across goal for Soucek to score past David Raya.
After a lengthy VAR review, Michael Oliver maintained his on-field call, judging that Bowen had just about kept the ball in play on the goal line.
Replays, however, were unable to provide solid proof as to whether the ball had left the pitch or not because the Hammers forward’s torso covered the main camera’s view.
Because of the lack of preparation, it resulted in yet another bizarre situation.
Despite the Premier League’s reputation as the best in the world, the lack of overhead views resulted in yet another ludicrous occurrence for a decision that has already cost Arsenal this season.
Arsenal made similar concessions following their 1-0 loss to Newcastle United at the start of November, which resulted in Mikel Arteta’s iconic outburst at St. James’ Park following the game.
Joe Willock was ruled to have retained the ball in play for a split second near to the left corner flag before Anthony Gordon headed Joelinton’s pass into the net.
Following the game, Arteta called the referees a “disgrace,” and Arsenal addressed a letter to PGMOL requesting that they “address the standard of officiating.”
Arsenal were shaken by Soucek’s horrific start and were lacklustre for the rest of the first half in north London.
