Arsenal’s moment in ‘theatre of the surreal’ as time - and the title race - stood still
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- West Ham United and Arsenal were involved in a tense Premier League match at London Stadium, with a controversial VAR decision denying West Ham a late goal, keeping Arsenal's title hopes alive.
- Referee Chris Kavanagh's VAR call to disallow the goal was pivotal, eliciting praise from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who acknowledged the difficulty and pressure of officiating such high-stakes moments.
- Arsenal's victory was marked by key moments including a crucial save by goalkeeper David Raya and a decisive goal by Leandro Trossard, which helped them maintain a five-point lead over Manchester City with two games remaining.
- Despite the drama and tactical challenges, including injuries and positional changes, Arsenal's focus remains on securing the Premier League title, with upcoming matches against Burnley and Crystal Palace seen as favorable opportunities.
- The Premier League trophy was present at the stadium but kept out of sight, symbolizing that Arsenal is not yet ready to celebrate their potential championship.