Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has commended the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for making the correct call in disallowing West Ham’s late equalizer against Arsenal, calling it “a really good job” during a high-stakes Premier League match.
The Hammers seemed to have dealt a major blow to Arsenal’s title ambitions and bolstered their own survival hopes when Callum Wilson scored in stoppage time. However, a VAR review disallowed the goal due to a foul by Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
The Gunners held on for a 1-0 win, moving five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, while West Ham slipped to 18th place, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur.
“It’s a clear foul,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Show. “You’re going to have a lot of people saying it should have stood because it’s controversial. Probably all the Manchester City players, staff, and fans will say it should have stood, while Tottenham fans, players, and staff will say it shouldn’t have – and of course Arsenal fans too. But it’s a clear foul. You can clearly see the arm cross his face, which impacts his ability to reach the ball. So I think it’s the right decision. It’s one time I actually think VAR did a really good job in such an important game.”
Despite endorsing the decision, Rooney expressed frustration over the protective advantage goalkeepers receive inside their own area. “Where VAR and referees are consistent – and I hate it – is that you go anywhere near the goalkeeper and it’s a foul,” he said. “Throughout my career as a player, I’ve had a dislike for goalkeepers because of that. They can jump with their arms, giving them a big advantage, and they often come out with their knees or studs down your back. But it’s consistent: if you go near them, they usually get a free-kick.”
Other pundits also weighed in on the controversial call. Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann told Match of the Day: “I don’t think anyone would want to trade places with Darren England. He stepped up, made the right decision, and it’s the biggest VAR call in Premier League history.”
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given added: “What grates me is we’ve seen numerous times this season with Arsenal where goalkeepers and defenders get blocked off, and the goal stands. Everyone’s frustrated about the consistency. Why are some goals allowed to stand and this one wasn’t? There’s so much at stake at the bottom and top of the league. Also, Gabriel, Odegaard, and Trossard were holding before the foul on Raya. When does the referee decide which foul to call?”
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy commented: “The controversy and discontent around West Ham not getting the goal is because it’s Arsenal. They can’t be held accountable for past decisions. The VAR officials have to call what they see, and it’s a clear foul. Just because it’s Arsenal doesn’t mean we should distort it.”
Former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It is a foul. You’re looking at two players fouling the goalkeeper. There have been so many of these this season – it’s been a talked-about topic. There has been su”
