Rooney praises ‘really good’ VAR call in Arsenal win
Rooney Commends VAR’s Decision in Arsenal’s Victory Over West Ham
Rooney praises really good VAR call – In a pivotal Premier League clash, former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney highlighted the effectiveness of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system after Arsenal secured a 1-0 win against West Ham. The match, which saw a dramatic stoppage-time goal from Callum Wilson, was ultimately decided by a VAR review that overturned the equaliser, citing a foul by Pablo on Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya. Rooney, reflecting on the incident during his show on BBC iPlayer, praised the technology for its role in ensuring fairness, though he also voiced concerns about the challenges faced by goalkeepers in their own penalty area.
A Game-Changing Call
West Ham had seemed to turn the tide in their favor during the final moments of the game, with Wilson’s strike appearing to deliver a significant blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations. The goal, which came in injury time, was initially celebrated as a potential equaliser, but the VAR intervention sparked debate. Referees ruled the goal out after reviewing the incident, determining that Pablo had committed a foul by extending his arm to disrupt Raya’s play. The decision left West Ham in 18th place, just a point above Tottenham Hotspur, while Arsenal moved five points clear of Manchester City at the summit of the table.
“It’s a clear foul,” Rooney remarked on the Wayne Rooney Show. “You’re going to get a lot of people saying they think it should have stood because it’s controversial. Naturally, the City players, staff, and fans will argue for the goal to be allowed, while Tottenham supporters, players, and staff will push for its disallowance. But the fact remains—it’s a clear foul. You can see the arm crossing his face and the impact on Raya’s ability to reach the ball. That’s why I think the right decision was made.”
A Foul, Not a Penalty?
While Rooney acknowledged the VAR ruling as fair, he also lamented the perceived advantage granted to goalkeepers within their own penalty box. “Where VAR is consistent, and the referees are consistent, is that whenever you go near the goalkeeper, it becomes a foul,” he explained. “This has been a recurring issue throughout my career. Goalkeepers can jump with their arms, creating a significant edge for them, whereas defenders are often penalized for similar actions. I’ve always had a bias against goalkeepers for that reason.”
“You go anywhere near the goalkeeper, and you give a foul,” Rooney continued. “Throughout my time as a player, I’ve been frustrated by this. They can extend their arms, and sometimes they even use their knees or studs to block defenders. But in this case, the same treatment was applied to the goalkeeper. It feels like a double standard, especially in such an important match.”
Pundits Weigh In on the Controversy
The decision to disallow the goal has drawn mixed reactions from former officials and players. Darren Cann, a former Premier League assistant referee, defended the call on Match of the Day, calling it “the biggest VAR call in Premier League history.” “No one would want to trade places with Darren England,” Cann noted, referring to the referee who made the initial decision. “He stepped up to the plate, made the right call, and it’s a moment that will be remembered for its significance.”
Shay Given, the former Newcastle goalkeeper, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the inconsistency in how goalkeepers are treated. “The thing that grates on me is how often we’ve seen goalkeepers and defenders blocked off, only for the goal to stand,” he said. “This season, Arsenal has been at the center of so many such debates. Why are some goals allowed to remain while others are overturned? The pressure at the top of the table and the bottom of the league means every decision carries weight.”
“The inconsistency in refereeing decisions has been a major talking point this season,” Given added. “Gabriel, Odegaard, and Trossard were all holding before the foul on Raya. The question is, when does the referee decide which foul to penalize? It feels like the VAR system has been used as a tool to target Arsenal, especially their set-pieces, which have been a source of controversy.”
Danny Murphy, a former Liverpool midfielder, joined the conversation, asserting that the VAR officials had done their job. “The controversy around West Ham not being awarded the goal is because it’s Arsenal,” Murphy stated. “But that shouldn’t affect the decision. The VAR officials have to stick to what they see, and the foul was clear. It’s not about bias—it’s about the rules being applied consistently.”
“Just because it’s Arsenal doesn’t mean the decision should be distorted,” Murphy argued. “The system is meant to correct errors, not create new ones. If the goal was unfair, it should be overturned, regardless of which team is involved. That’s the beauty of VAR: it gives referees a second chance to make the right call in high-stakes moments.”
Rob Green, the former West Ham goalkeeper, took a more measured approach, acknowledging the importance of the VAR call while questioning its broader implications. “It’s a foul, but the fact that it was only overturned now feels like a turning point,” Green said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “There have been so many similar incidents this season, and the debate around them has been intense. For VAR to be used as a deciding factor in this match—it’s a huge moment. It just feels like West Ham, and Arsenal in particular, have been under the microscope for their set-pieces. The question is, when does the referee choose to act? It’s not always clear.”
The incident underscores the growing scrutiny of VAR decisions, especially those involving goalkeepers. While the system has been praised for its ability to eliminate errors, it has also sparked debates about fairness and consistency. Rooney’s comments, though brief, highlight the emotional and tactical stakes of the ruling. For Arsenal, the disallowed goal preserved their lead in the title race, while for West Ham, it marked a setback in their fight for survival. As the season progresses, the role of VAR in shaping outcomes will continue to be a focal point for fans and analysts alike.
Rooney’s praise for the VAR intervention contrasts with his frustration over the perceived bias against goalkeepers. “It’s the one time I actually think VAR has done a really good job,” he admitted. “In such a crucial game, it’s important to have that extra check. But the same rule should apply to all players, not just those in the penalty area. That’s where the inconsistency lies, and it’s a problem that needs addressing.”
The discussion also touched on the broader context of the match. With Arsenal’s victory consolidating their position at the top of the table, the decision to disallow the goal had a ripple effect on the league standings. Meanwhile, West Ham’s slim hopes of staying in the Premier League were dashed, leaving them to rely on Tottenham’s performance in the coming weeks to keep their fate from being sealed. As the season moves forward, the VAR system will remain a central element in determining the outcome of tight games, with its decisions carrying both praise and criticism from all corners of the football world.
Rooney’s analysis reflects a common theme in the debate over VAR: its potential to enhance fairness, but also its ability to magnify controversies. The stoppage-time goal, which could have shifted the momentum of the match, became a symbol of the system’s power to alter the course of a game. For Arsenal, it was a defining moment in their title chase, while for West Ham, it was a reminder of the challenges they face as the season reaches its climax. As Rooney noted, the VAR call was a rare instance of the system being used to its full advantage, offering a glimpse into its transformative impact on modern football.