10 May 2026 18:33:02
Football is officially ruined. A huge moment in football decided by someone miles away.
It’s not clear and obvious if it takes that long. Utter nonsense the game has turned into.
Keeper has to be stronger, and that has probably relegated West Ham and secured Arsenal the title.
I really do detest VAR, ruined a huge moment again.
10 May 2026 18:42:07
Worst part is, there were about 3 penalties in the same incident, if that's a foul. Soucek was rugby tackled at the front post, Trossard was beat hugging Pablo whilst not even looking at the ball, and Gabriel had a fistful of a West Ham player's shirt as well.
But the foul was Pablo using his arm to hold off Raya with his strength.
Embarrassing. The new rules are seemingly "holding and blocking in the box is a foul, unless you are wearing an Arsenal shirt".
10 May 2026 18:45:53
Considering a West Ham player was being rugby tackled behind the keeper in plain sight ... it's just whoa.
Just imagine winning the title in that fashion .. pretty sure Arsenal won't care .... or getting relegated by that decision.... I'm sure West Ham do care ....
Would be hilarious if Arsenal lost CL final in a similar way ... the irony of it.
10 May 2026 18:48:36
I am completely livid at that.
How you can isolate that "foul" amongst the amount of fouls going on is ridiculous.
10 May 2026 18:50:02
Absolutely, mate, you forgot Rice with his arms round a West Ham player as well.
And, Arteta getting away with what he does every game is beyond me.
I'm close to packing footy in.
10 May 2026 19:09:41
It’s really annoyed me. Arsenal deserve the league as they have been the best team. That isn’t the issue.
But this isn’t football, and I’m still not sure that’s 100% a foul. There will be other instances where they don’t get involved. For me, the ref gave the goal, and it’s not a clear and obvious error, so VAR should just not get involved.
As soon as he is told to go to the screen, there is an unconscious bias that he has made a mistake. He has already been influenced.
I blame the keeper. He has to be stronger imo. They are just going to act weak and get away with it.
10 May 2026 19:16:38
Totally spineless officiating has probably cost West Ham their premiership spot & given the other cheating b******s the title.
10 May 2026 19:19:37
100% WYred, first thing in thought when I saw it is the keeper has to be stronger.
10 May 2026 19:23:26
Nah, you can't be holding on to a goalkeeper's arms, get a grip! ?
10 May 2026 19:28:10
Come on lads, Arsenal are going to bottle it.
10 May 2026 19:32:17
Chewy, irrespective of the foul on Raya or not, you can't spend that long looking for a foul, rule the goal out, and then not give the 43 other fouls being committed by Arsenal players.
VAR basically has to either stay out of it or do a proper job.
10 May 2026 20:54:57
MKS & Wassa, I think that is the frustration of a lot of fans. Indeed, the foul on Raya is clear. However, if Arsenal players are committing other infractions in the box at the same time, the ref should let everything go, and let the players decide the outcome of the match.
Sadly, what they have done is that they have picked and chosen the infraction to penalise, and it just happens to be the Raya foul.
That, I believe, is the issue, esp. when it comes to Arsenal this season, as they have been getting away with these fouls on oppo. players all season cos the PGMOL have just decided to not intervene. Suddenly now, they do. Trust me, I get it.
10 May 2026 21:06:38
Go back and look at Arsenal's goal against United on the opening day. Saliba is literally holding the goalkeeper on his line, stopping him getting to the ball and that goal was allowed.
The one against Bayern when Saliba barged the keeper as the ball comes in, knocking him off balance so he can't get the ball. That's just 2 instances off the top of my head.
It's not that I don't think it was a foul today, it was.
The problem is that the refs and VAR have made a rod for their own backs by letting set pieces become wrestling matches all season. They never give fouls at set pieces even when they are blatantly obvious. Now, all of a sudden, at such a pivotal moment, they decided to go against everything they've done all season and rule out a goal?
Something stinks here.
10 May 2026 22:08:16
Unfortunately, PGMOL have allowed that nonsense to continue, obviously the referees have been briefed on what is deemed acceptable, however wrong they've gotten it, it's been going on all season, why anybody would expect it to change now is beyond me. Whatever way you look at it, grabbing hold of the keeper's arms as he's literally about to catch the ball is without doubt the worst foul being committed and the one that most affects the play.
That's undeniable.
If Isak was through on goal and gets taken down but somebody kicked the legs off Gravenberch at the halfway line at the same time, are you looking for a free kick?
11 May 2026 04:08:07
Multiple WHU players are being prevented from even competing for the ball in the first place, which occurs prior to Raya being fouled, so either you give the goal or a penalty - but the PGMOL have allowed Arsenal to get away with this for way too long to change their mind now.
11 May 2026 12:12:50
My sentiments exact, @Brown. The refos have been letting things go, something Arsenal have been taking advantage of all season, and suddenly now, they don't and pick the foul to penalise.