Super Eagles legend Victor Ikpeba has strongly criticized the use of the video assistant referee (VAR) in England following the controversy during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal. The match, which ended 1-0 in favor of Arsenal, was marked by a contentious VAR decision that disallowed a goal from West Ham's Callum Wilson.
Match Summary
Arsenal secured a narrow victory thanks to a late strike from Belgian winger Leandro Trossard in the 83rd minute. However, the game's defining moment came earlier when West Ham thought they had equalized through Callum Wilson. The goal was initially awarded by referee Chris Kavanagh but was subsequently disallowed after a VAR review. According to reports from the Daily Star, the review took approximately four minutes and involved 17 replays on the pitch-side monitor before the decision was overturned.
Impact on Title Race and Relegation Battle
The decision had significant implications for both ends of the Premier League table. For Arsenal, the win bolstered their title ambitions, keeping them in contention for the league championship. Conversely, West Ham's defeat deepened their relegation worries, potentially condemning them to the Championship.
Ikpeba's Criticism of VAR
Speaking on Supersport's Monday Night Football, former Super Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba expressed his frustration with how VAR is implemented in England. He argued that Arsenal frequently commits similar offenses without punishment. "VAR is not doing what it's supposed to do in the English Premier League. When you talk about shoving and pushing, the one club that does it more than the others is Arsenal," Ikpeba said, as reported by All Nigeria Soccer. "They bully defences and are not punished, so in this situation it is a mild touch."
Ikpeba further noted that the lengthy VAR review indicated the foul was not clear and obvious, questioning why it was penalized. He believes that such inconsistency undermines the integrity of the competition.
Manager Reactions
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the referee's bravery in making the decision, acknowledging the immense pressure on officials. "Probably today I have realised how difficult and how big a referee's job is. Because you're talking about a moment that can decide the history, the course of two massive clubs that are fighting for their lives to achieve their objectives, and the pressure is huge. It gives you a lot of choice," Arteta stated.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, however, criticized the inconsistency of VAR decisions. "Even the referees lost a little bit of the idea of what is a foul and what is not a foul. Today, the decision went against us. That’s why we are really, really upset, because it happened before and it was judged in a different way. That’s what upsets us," Santo added.
Following the match, West Ham reportedly submitted a petition to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) demanding an explanation for the controversial decision.
Premier League Table Without VAR
In related news, Legit.ng previously analyzed how the Premier League table would look without VAR, highlighting that Arsenal have gained an extra five points this season due to VAR interventions. Without VAR, the Gunners might be fighting for survival rather than the title.
