WHAT DAVID RAYA SAID IMMEDIATELY AFTER PABLO FOUL AS ARSENAL HANDED HUGE THE TITLE RACE VAR BOOST

Arsenal claimed a crucial 1-0 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium in a match full of late drama

A foul on David Raya saw a late West Ham United goal vs Arsenal disallowed after a VAR review.(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

David Raya predicted that West Ham’s equalising goal against Arsenal would be ruled out. The Hammers thought that they had scored a crucial equaliser against the Gunners in injury time, only to see the goal chalked off after a VAR review.

Replays showed a foul by West Ham’s Pablo on Raya as the ball came into the penalty box. The Arsenal goalkeeper was therefore unable to collect the ball, which fell to Callum Wilson to put beyond the goal-line.

The foul originally went unpunished with the goal given on the field. However, referee Chris Kavanagh was sent over to the pitchside monitor to watch replays and disallowed the goal.

The decision saw Arsenal emerge as 1-0 winners thanks to Leandro Trossard ’s goal just a few minutes earlier.

Speaking after the match, Trossard revealed what Raya said to him in the aftermath of the West Ham goal. “Raya said straight away ‘it can’t be a goal’,” he told Sky Sports.

West Ham United's late equaliser against Arsenal was disallowed after a VAR review.(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

“At that moment, I had a lot of faith. I believed because he was pretty convincing, but you never know.

“You are thinking it is not going our way, but luckily it was a foul and we won the game.

“It was relief as there wasn't long to go, but we still had to dig in for a couple of minutes. We are just really happy with this win.”

“Then with the goal, I was just happy we won.”

The victory moves Arsenal five points clear of second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League table. City do, though, have a game in hand, which will be played on Wednesday night when they take on Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.

- Amie Wilson