Mikel Arteta has praised two Arsenal players and referee Chris Kavanagh following the team’s dramatic Premier League victory over West Ham. The Gunners edged closer to securing the title with a crucial 1-0 win at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Leandro Trossard’s deflected shot gave Arsenal a late lead after David Raya made a massive save to deny Mateus Fernandes. The match was filled with tension, as West Ham believed they had equalised when Callum Wilson scored from a corner. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed due to a foul on Raya.
Arsenal managed to hold on for the win, which puts them five points clear of second-placed Manchester City. Arteta specifically commended Raya and Martin Odegaard for their contributions, with the latter providing the assist for Trossard’s goal after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Arteta also acknowledged the courage of referee Kavanagh and the VAR officials for making the difficult decision to disallow the potential equaliser.
“I think we started the game so well,” Arteta said. “We created three big chances but didn’t manage to score the goal. Then Ben White’s injury came in, and we had to adjust that. It doesn’t really work out, and half-time we had to change Calafiori as well, another change, so it’s not ideal. But I think we showed a lot of courage with the changes and the people who came on.”
“He showed a lot of courage with the changes and the people who came on. I think we got rewarded because Martin made an incredible action to win us the game, apart from David’s save in the 70th minute.”
“If you want the chance to win major trophies, you need moments and actions, and the individuals creating those magic moments. David certainly, like Martin Odegaard, created a moment to win us the game.”
Regarding the VAR check that led to West Ham’s disallowed goal, Arteta added: “In the end, this is the beauty of the Premier League. In all this chaos and with the keeper in your box, they managed to score. The referee and the VAR today had a lot of courage to stop and analyse the action and give the opportunity to the referee to make the call.”
“I think nobody would disagree that it was a clear foul because David has the ball almost in his hands, and they don’t allow him to do that and take advantage to score the goal. My instinct, because I watched it live, is that it was going to be a foul. But I understand, and today I realised for the referees to be in that position and make that call and change the course of one of the two teams, what a responsibility. What a big call.”
“When I had to be critical, I have been. Today I have to congratulate them [referees]. A lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action.”
While Arsenal boosted their title hopes, West Ham suffered a heartbreaking defeat, moving them closer to relegation. Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo expressed frustration and sadness after the game, criticising the inconsistency in refereeing decisions.
“We knew how crucial it was,” he said. “Frustration, this is what we are feeling now, but mostly sadness. I think it is a lack of consistency that has been happening in recent seasons. The referees are allowing a lot of blocking and grappling almost and sometimes they judge it differently.”
“This is the frustration now of not understanding what is a foul and what is not a foul.”
West Ham remain 18th in the Premier League, one point below Tottenham with just two games left. The Hammers will face Newcastle United next weekend, while Arsenal will host Burnley on Monday week.
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