VAR chaos defines race as Arsenal pull clear, West Ham wobble, and faith in Arne Slot wanes | OneFootball

A fraught VAR check at the London Stadium felt emblematic of this Premier League season as Arsenal moved five points clear, West Ham slid deeper into peril, and dissent stirred at Anfield.

NY Times writes that VAR officials spent about five minutes reviewing a stoppage-time West Ham equaliser after a melee at a corner. Before that, David Raya saved from Mateus Fernandes, then Leandro Trossard struck in the 83rd minute from Martin Odegaard’s pass. Referee Chris Kavanagh, after a monitor check, ruled Pablo’s hold on Raya decisive as Callum Wilson converted amid several simultaneous fouls.

A promised clampdown on set-piece grappling has not materialised. Goals per game have fallen from 3.28 to 2.93 to 2.75, with open-play strikes markedly down, and too many tight matches swinging on rehearsed routines and subjective calls. The inconsistency, particularly around contact on goalkeepers, has grated.

Arsenal now have two to play. Beat relegated Burnley next Monday and Crystal Palace the following Sunday and they will be champions, while any Manchester City slip in their three against Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa means one Arsenal win could suffice.

West Ham’s revival has stalled with back-to-back defeats just as Tottenham have steadied under Roberto De Zerbi. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side left themselves little margin after taking only 14 points from their first 21 league games, and the financial hit of relegation would be considerable. Spurs still must handle their own business against Leeds tonight.

At Anfield, boos met Arne Slot’s decision to withdraw 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, though he said the winger had cramp. The reaction reflected a broader dissatisfaction with a team short on structure and incision, despite mitigating factors including injuries, squad gaps after a £450million outlay, and the death of Diogo Jota. The hierarchy plan a reset under Slot, having brushed off links to Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola, but each setback demands a greater leap of faith.

Source: NY Times