Peter Schmeichel has claimed that the VAR call during Arsenal’s win over West Ham was “very wrong”, prompting a passionate reaction from former captain Martin Keown.
Martin Keown takes aim after Peter Schmeichel’s comments (Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Manager Martin Keown has hit back at Peter Schmeichel’s criticism of a VAR decision in Arsenal’s favor, insisting the former Manchester United goalkeeper is “angry because of Arsenal”.
The Gunners went from anguish to ecstasy on Sunday afternoon after a lengthy VAR check had West Ham’s stoppage-time equalizer overturned. Callum Wilson thought he had fired the shot that opened the door for Manchester City once again in the Premier League title race.
However, their celebrations were cut short by VAR intervention, and after nearly five minutes of checking, the goal at the London Stadium was ruled out.
David Raya was deemed to have been fouled by Pablo, who grappled with the Arsenal goalkeeper. There was an accident in the box, but a foul on the goalkeeper gave them the lead and proved to be the deciding moment of the match.
Mr Schmeichel said it was “very wrong on many levels”, but Mr Keown countered. He told talkSPORT: “He’s angry because this is Arsenal. Didn’t he play for Manchester City? Didn’t he play for Manchester United? Arsenal’s current rivals and former rivals.”
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The ex-Arsenal man went on to explain: “He’s grabbing his arm! I like to think I’m a fair person, but this is a legitimate decision. The important thing is that this is a goalkeeper… If that had happened to him (Schmeichel), he would have shouted from the rooftops that it was a foul. If he (Schmeichel) was still playing and got fouled to that extent… now, that’s crazy.”
Schmeichel’s complaints centered on some of the tactics used by Arsenal this season. The Gunners were more successful from set pieces and scored more goals than any other team. Many of them placed multiple players around the goalkeeper and were seen competing for position.
VAR deemed Pablo to have fouled David Raya (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
“What really pisses me off is that if it had been a free-kick, Arsenal would never be at the top of the league,” said the former goalkeeper. “That’s how they’ve scored so many goals, blocking people, restraining people, all sorts of things. And to get to this point, VAR takes five minutes, Darren England’s VAR takes five minutes.
“He keeps going back and forth… That in itself makes that decision a big question and there’s no way it could have been a free kick. I think it’s so wrong. I don’t understand why all of a sudden it’s a free kick, because that hasn’t happened to any team all season. That’s just really crazy. And that decision today is so wrong on so many levels.”
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