Gary Neville issues instant reaction to VAR drama during West Ham vs Arsenal

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal and West Ham United were just involved in one of the most dramatic games of the season.

The Gunners had a good start to the game, but once Ben White got injured and Declan Rice was temporarily moved to right-back, the momentum shifted.

West Ham were the better team from that point on, but Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal the lead after excellent work from Martin Odegaard.

Then, the Irons looked like they had equalised, but VAR overturned the decision for a foul. Gary Neville, for once, has backed the decision that went Arsenal’s way.

Gary Neville agrees with VAR overturning West Ham’s equaliser vs Arsenal

When Trossard scored his goal, almost everyone watching the game felt that Arsenal had just sealed the Premier League title.

However, Callum Wilson smashed the ball past the goal line after a mess inside the box, and the title race looked like it was wide open again.

However, replays showed that Pablo had his arm across Raya’s throat while the Arsenal goalkeeper was trying to jump and catch the ball.

Furthermore, a closer look showed the West Ham man grabbing hold of Raya’s arm as well.

Darren England was on VAR duty, and after a lengthy check, he asked referee Chris Kavanagh to go to the screen and take a look.

The on-field official looked at it plenty of times as well, and in the end, he rightly overturned the decision and cancelled West Ham’s goal.

While all that was happening, Neville had his say in commentary, and he had already decided that it was a foul.

He said on Sky Sports: “I think it’s a foul. He’s holding Raya. Have VAR got the courage to make the decision? This is massive for refereeing in this country…”

The win puts Arsenal five points clear at the top of the Premier League table again, and the title remains in their hands.

All Arsenal need to do is beat Burnley and Crystal Palace. If they do, they will finish the season as champions, irrespective of what Manchester City do in their remaining games.