Arsenal 1. West Ham 0. The Premier League title race just took a massive, controversial turn. Arsenal secured a narrow victory at the London Stadium on May 10, 2026, pushing them five points clear at the top. This wasn’t a tactical masterclass. It was a survival act fueled by a late Leandro Trossard goal and a 95th-minute intervention that left the home crowd in a state of absolute fury.
Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute. His strike seemed enough to secure the points until the dying seconds of stoppage time. West Ham sub Callum Wilson bundled the ball home during a chaotic goalmouth scramble. The London Stadium exploded. For a moment, the sports world thought the title race had shifted back toward Manchester City.
The celebrations didn’t last. VAR official Darren England signaled for a review. Referee Chris Kavanagh went to the pitchside monitor. After studying 17 different replays, the goal was wiped off. The officials ruled that West Ham’s Pablo had fouled Arsenal keeper David Raya as the corner came in.
Mikel Arteta didn’t hold back in his post-match assessment. He hailed the officiating team for what he called a very brave and consistent decision. Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, Arteta admitted the overturned goal could decide the history of the league. It was a rare instance of a manager praising the VAR process during such a high-tension moment.
The fallout was immediate. West Ham players swarmed the referee. Fans took to social media to blast the foul on Raya as a soft call. The defeat is catastrophic for the Hammers. They sit one point behind Tottenham in the final relegation spot with only two games left. Arsenal, meanwhile, now has their sights firmly set on the trophy.
How the London Stadium Controversy Reshapes the Title Sprint
Arsenal is now in the driver’s seat. They hold a five-point lead over Manchester City. City still has a game in hand, but the psychological momentum is now firmly with the Gunners. This victory marks Arsenal’s longest winning streak in the modern era. Historically, teams with this much late-season momentum rarely slip. West Ham is at the opposite end of the spectrum. This is their first loss decided by a 90-plus minute VAR reversal in over three seasons. The paradigm shift is clear. Official bravery in the monitor booth is now a direct factor in who lifts the trophy.