Peter Schmeichel has slammed the VAR decision to disallow West Ham’s last-gasp equaliser against Arsenal, accusing the Gunners of set-piece hypocrisy as they close in on the Premier League title
Peter Schmeichel has hit out at the decision to disallow a late goal in Arsenal’s narrow victory over West Ham for a foul on David Raya, noting that the Gunners have employed identical set-piece tactics throughout the entire season.
Leandro Trossard struck in the 83rd minute at the London Stadium to hand Arsenal a crucial advantage in their pursuit of the Premier League title. Drama then unfolded when Callum Wilson appeared to snatch a 95th-minute equaliser for the Hammers, who are desperately battling to avoid the drop.
West Ham’s celebrations were swiftly cut short as VAR scrutinised replays of the incident before recommending an on-field review. Pablo was spotted gripping Raya’s arm as he leapt for the ball, with referee Chris Kavanagh subsequently ruling the goal out.
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However, Schmeichel, the iconic former Manchester United goalkeeper who also played for Manchester City, argued that Arsenal — the Premier League’s most prolific side from set-pieces — would be nowhere near the summit of the table if such actions are to be considered a foul.
“That decision today, it’s just so wrong on so many levels,” the Dane told Viaplay. “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.”
Schmeichel added: “I think it’s so wrong, I just don’t understand why all of a sudden that’s a free kick, because it’s not been for any teams all the way throughout the season.
“All of this, it’s just crazy, and that decision today is just so wrong on so many levels.”
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Schmeichel wasn’t the only one challenging VAR’s intervention, with West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen expressing similar sentiments in his post-match remarks.
Mikel Arteta, however, commended the match officials for their courage in reaching such a significant decision. He said: “A call from the refs that I think is very brave, but very consistent with what they’ve been talking about all season.
“So when I have to be critical, I have been. And it is a free kick and the goal has to be disallowed. So congratulations because they made a big call in very, very difficult circumstances.”
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