Arsenal-West Ham controversy termed the 'biggest VAR moment in Premier League history'

VAR once again came in focus as Arsenal strengthened their Premier League title bid with a 1-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday. A controversial moment in the game took place in the 95th minute when a strike from West Ham was initially given as a goal before VAR intervened and chalked it off.

It turned out to be a massive moment in the game as a draw would have come as a blow for Arsenal in their bid to win the league. A stalemate would have brought Manchester City within three points of Arsenal with a game in hand. However, by taking all three points, Mikel Arteta's side has a five-point lead at the top even as it has played one more game than City.

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The decision to disallow a late West Ham goal made a lot of buzz on social media but experts largely believe that it was the correct decision.

Biggest VAR moment in Premier League

In a crowded corner, West Ham's Pablo had his arm across Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya's neck while he tried to catch the ball. Callum Wilson took advantage of the chaos and scored for West Ham. The on-field referee initially allowed the goal, but after a long VAR review, the goal was disallowed.

"The biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League," former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said on Sky Sports. "If Arsenal are going to go on and win a title, this is the half. This is the game that will go down in folklore."

Arsenal legend Ian Wright also agreed. "It is a poor foul. I think David Raya catches that simply if he is not impeded, he catches that. I'm not a fan of VAR, but in this instance, it did the job. For me it was an easy one to give in such a tense moment."

United legend Roy Keane also believed it was a foul. "The one thing you say when you go up, VAR are going to check everything, do not put your hands on the goalkeeper!" the former legend said.

"I think it is a foul," Keane said on Sky Sports.

However, former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel had a totally different opinion on the matter.

"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 (Arsenal) scored so many goals, by blocking people, holding people, doing all kinds of things," Schmeichel said on Viaplay.

"And then we get to this point, it takes VAR five minutes, Darren England the VAR, it takes five minutes. He starts it over again and starts it over again and again… that in itself puts so much doubt into that decision that it cannot be a free-kick. 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 this, it’s just crazy. And that decision today, it’s just so wrong on so many levels."