West Ham to lodge a formal complaint after Arsenal defeat?
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 11.05.26. | 12:10
The controversial VAR decision which denied them the draw could define their season
A lot of noise came after the Sunday’s game between West Ham and Arsenal. Although both clubs had different goals this season, the goal was the same – three points. The Hammers needed it for Premier League survival and Arsenal needed it for the title. But one decision in injury time influenced the final score and the debate over it will last for days. West Ham scored an equalizer through Calum Wilson deep into stoppage time, but it was voided after a lengthy VAR review after their player fouled Arsenal's keeper David Raya. And now, according to The Times, the Hammers will lodge a formal complaint with the PGMOL over the disallowed goal that has pushed them closer to relegation and helped swing the title race in favor of Arsenal.
Given the importance this match had on both ends of the Premier League table, this might be among the most important VAR decisions ever made in England, and Nuno Espirito Santo was not happy after the game.
“All of us don't understand what is a foul, what isn't a foul. I think even referees confuse themselves. Because then you look at every corner in the Premier League, what's happening? What is the barrier, what is the frontier of what is a foul and what is not a foul? I'm talking about the lack of consistency, I think everybody's confused. So I think it's up to the referees to dictate what is a foul, what is allowed, what is not allowed. Because it seems like the rules have changed. And everybody feels confused and frustrated. The players don't understand it” said the Portuguese after the game.
West Ham's Callum Wilson goal was ruled out by VAR after Pablo's hand went into David Raya's chest, making it difficult for him to catch the ball. 📺⚽🔥 pic.twitter.com/zuTMbtVPcJ
— Premier League Out Of Context (@PL__OOC) May 10, 2026
It’s been years since that famous Arsene Wenger quote that “we need video replays. United would be mid-table if referees had the benefit of them". And now, with all that technology, West Ham didn’t had the benefit, but quite ironically, Arsenal. And yet it was one of those pre-VAR champions who thought the referee’s decision was wrong.
“That decision, it's just so wrong on so many levels. What really makes me angry is that Arsenal would never be top of the league if that's a free kick. That's how they've scored so many goals by blocking people, holding people, doing all kind of things, and then we get to this point... it takes VAR five minutes. Darren England the VAR official, it takes him five minutes. He starts the replay over and over again. That in itself puts so much doubt into that decision. It cannot be a free kick, it cannot” said Peter Schmeichel on Viaplay
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 36
Saturday
Liverpool - Chelsea 1-1 (1-1)
/Gravenberch 6 - Fernandez 35/
Brighton - Wolverhampton 3-0 (2-0)
/Hinshelwood 1, Dunk 5, Minteh 86/
Fulham - Bournemouth 0-1 (0-0)
/Rayan 53/
Sunderland - Manchester United 0-0
Manchester City - Brentford 3-0 (0-0)
/Doku 60, Haaland 75, Marmoush 90+2/
Sunday
Burnley - Aston Villa 2-2 (1-1)
/Anthony 8, Flemming 58 - Barkley 42, Watkins 56/
Crystal Palace - Everton 2-2 (1-1)
/Sarr 34, Mateta 77 - Tarkowski 6, Beto 47/
Nottingham Forest - Newcastle 1-1 (0-0)
/Anderson 88 - Barnes 74/
West Ham - Arsenal 0-1 (0-0)
/Trossard 83/
Monday
22.00: (1.85) Tottenham (3.90) Leeds (4.20)
***odds are subject to change***