Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has come to Arsenal’s defence over the VAR controversy that decided Sunday’s win at West Ham.
His Spurs side were left to rue a 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Monday night that leaves their Premier League survival up in the air.
Their relegation rivals West Ham had a stoppage-time equaliser ruled out at the London Stadium after VAR judged that Pablo had fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
The decision proved pivotal, sending Arsenal home with all three points and, in the process, handing a boost to their north London rivals.
🤔 Do you agree that attackers should be banned from entering the six-yard box at corners?
Cann tells BBC Sport: "I feel that the time has come now for a law change whereby no attackers are allowed in the six-yard box before the corner is taken."
Roberto De Zerbi: Arsenal VAR call was right
Speaking after Monday’s game, the Spurs boss was openly critical of referee Jarred Gillet, claiming he was “not calm”.
He suggested that Gillet could have felt the pressure from the VAR incident involving the Gunners the day before — which De Zerbi made clear was the right decision.
“I can’t understand the polemic about yesterday’s VAR because it was 200 per cent a foul, not 100 per cent, 200 per cent,” he said.
It will do little to quieten the debate among West Ham supporters — as well as those who are just desperate for Arsenal not to win the league.
But from a neutral coaching perspective, it is a striking verdict, and one which Jamie Carragher agrees with, speaking on Monday Night Football.
VAR got David Raya incident correct against West Ham
The incident itself was not especially difficult to read once replays were available. Pablo had his arm across Raya’s neck and had grabbed hold of the goalkeeper’s arm.
VAR reviewed the footage and asked referee Chris Kavanagh to look at the pitchside monitor, who then correctly overturned the goal.
Commentating on the match for Sky Sports, Gary Neville agreed that VAR came to the correct verdict, and later praised VAR official Darren England for having the courage to make such a massive decision.
Neville’s former teammate Peter Schmeichel thought otherwise, but was labelled ‘ridiculous’ by Martin Keown, who pointed out on talkSPORT that Raya had been fouled not once but multiple times in the same passage of play.
The decision has not been without its detractors, but when even the manager of your nearest rivals is telling the world the call was obviously correct, it is hard to argue otherwise.
Raya was fouled. The goal was rightly ruled out. Arsenal’s title is still in their hands.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
