Peter Schmeichel accuses Arsenal of hypocrisy after controversial VAR call

Peter Schmeichel launched a scathing attack on the officials after Arsenal secured a controversial 1-0 win over West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday, claiming the league leaders “would never be top” if similar incidents were consistently ruled as fouls.

Mikel Arteta’s side edged closer to the title after Leandro Trossard scored the only goal at the London Stadium. However, the match was overshadowed by a dramatic late VAR intervention that denied West Ham an equaliser.

Callum Wilson thought he had rescued a crucial point in the Hammers’ battle for survival when he bundled the ball home late in the second half. But after a lengthy VAR review, officials ruled that David Raya had been fouled while attempting to claim the ball, leading to the goal being disallowed.

The decision sparked fierce debate among fans and pundits, with many arguing that similar physical challenges during set-pieces are often allowed to continue — particularly involving Arsenal, who have earned a reputation for their aggressive blocking routines from corners and free-kicks.

Former Manchester United and Manchester City goalkeeper Schmeichel was among the harshest critics of the call.

“What really makes me angry is that Arsenal would never be top of the league if that’s a free-kick,” Schmeichel said on Viaplay. “That’s how they’ve scored so many goals, by blocking people, holding people, doing all kinds of things.”

The Danish great also questioned the lengthy VAR process, arguing that the extended review itself reflected uncertainty from the officials.

“And then we get to this point, it takes VAR five minutes, Darren England the VAR, it takes five minutes,” he added. “He starts it over again and starts it over again and again that in itself puts so much doubt into that decision that it cannot be a free-kick.”

Schmeichel insisted the ruling was inconsistent with officiating standards seen throughout the season.

“I think it’s so wrong. I just don’t understand why all of a sudden that’s a free-kick, because it’s not been for any teams all the way throughout the season,” he said. “All this, it’s just crazy. And that decision today, it’s just so wrong on so many levels.”

Despite the controversy, Arsenal held firm to secure another vital three points in the title race, while West Ham were left frustrated after seeing a potentially valuable equaliser wiped out by VAR.