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TUESDAY | MAY 12, 2026

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Arsenal escape chaos Gunners edge closer to ending 22-year drought as VAR ‘earthquake’ rocks Premier League

A RSENAL are within touching distance of their first Premier League crown for 22 years after a VAR “earthquake” rocked the title race in their conten tious 1-0 win at West Ham on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s side were embroiled in a controversial stoppage-time inci dent that looked set to derail their title bid before a VAR intervention tilted the balance of power back to north London. Leading through Leandro Trossard’s deflected 83rd minute goal, the Gunners were stunned when West Ham’s Callum Wilson lashed home in the final moments after Arsenal keeper David Raya dropped the ball inside his penalty area. But West Ham’s celebrations were curtailed when VAR official Darren England told referee Chris Kavanagh to consult the pitch-side monitor to check a potential foul by Pablo on Raya before his fumble. After a lengthy delay ratcheted up the drama, Kavanagh agreed that Pablo had impeded the keeper and returned to the pitch to announce the goal had been disallowed. Arteta and his players breathed a collective sigh of relief, while Arsenal’s fans exploded in celebration as jeers rang out from disbelieving West Ham supporters. It was a moment of such emotional intensity that it will surely stand as the defining image of the season if Arsenal go on to win their 14th English title and first since 2004. The Gunners are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City and will be crowned champions if they win their last two matches at home to Burnley on May 18 and at Crystal Palace on May 24. They could seal the trophy even ear lier if City fail to win their game in hand

lives to achieve their objectives. “The pressure is huge. So congratu lations, because they made a big call in very difficult circumstances.” Nuno saw it far differently, insisting the decision was the result of debatable rule-making and inconsistent interpre tation of those laws in recent seasons.

brave,” Arteta said. “I have to praise them, for giving the option to a referee to decide, away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call. “When you look at the action in that way, it is an obvious error. It is a freekick, and the goal has to be disal lowed. “You’re talking about a

against Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday (3am Malaysian time). That would allow Arsenal to wrap up the title with a victory over relegated Burnley. For third-bottom West Ham, it was a brutal blow in their battle to avoid rele gation. The Hammers remain one point from safety but fourth-bottom Tottenham would extend that gap to four with just two games left if they beat Leeds on Monday. What was surely the

speculation around it.” Since being introduced to the Premier League in 2019, VAR has been a lightning rod for criticism from man agers and fans infuriated by a system that is far from fool-proof and often sucks the spontaneityand excitement out of matches. But former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville felt the seismic call was correct: “This is an earthquake, a tremor of a moment. “It is probably the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League. This is massive. “I think it’s a foul. His arm is held on Raya. It’s on him all the time. He’s hold ing across his neck and chest.” Whether the decision was legitimate or not, the after-shocks will be felt from North London all the way to Manchester. Elsewhere, Elliot Anderson reminded Newcastle United exactly what they had to give up with a late goal that earned Nottingham Forest a vital 1–1 draw in their bid for Premier League survival. Much has been made of Anderson’s move to the City Ground from the Magpies in 2024, which was essentially a £35 million (RM186m) transfer to sat isfy his boyhood club’s PSR demands. But the England midfielder showed there was no room for sentiment as his 88th-minute goal won his side a point that moves them to the brink of sur vival. Everton’s hopes of qualifying for Europe were dealt a huge blow after Jean-Philippe Mateta came off the bench to rescue Crystal Palace a point in a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park. – AFP/The Independent

“The way the game finished, we’re all upset of course,” he said.

moment that can decide the history, and the course, of two massive clubs that are fighting with their

“There’s a referee, there’s VAR, there’s cir cumstances in the past that would be judged different. “Even the referees don’t know what is a foul, what isn’t a foul. It creates a lot of doubt a n d

most consequential VAR decision in Premier League history inevi tably sparked dif fering verdicts

from Arteta and West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo. “It was a call from the ref that is v e r y

Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard ( centre) celebrate with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League match against West Ham at London Stadium on Sunday. – AFPPIC

Back to reality - Story on page 29

‘I’ll never forget this day’

- Story on page 30

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