David Seaman praises Arsenal star for ‘ballsy’ decision that secured West Ham win

Arsenal legend David Seaman has praised the ‘ball’ and ‘bravery’ of David Raya who made a key decision that contributed to his side’s seismic win over West Ham.

The Gunners are now just two victories away from securing a first Premier League title in 22 years after Leandro Trossard’s late strike, allied to a timely VAR intervention, secured a vital three points that took them a step closer to their Holy Grail.

Moments before the Belgium international’s goal, Raya produced a superb save to keep the scores level when he stood up just long enough to prevent Mateus Fernandes from scoring.

Raya was at the centre of the action again deep in stoppage time when his attempts to collect Jarrod Bowen’s corner were disturbed by a combination of Pablo and Jean-Clair Todibo, before Callum Wilson lashed the ball over the line from close range.

Much to Arsenal’s relief, referee Chris Kavanagh, after lengthy deliberation from the VAR Darren England, announced the goal had been ruled out in part, according to Seaman, because of Raya’s traditional goalkeeping technique.

He wrote on X: ‘Massive credit to David Raya tonight – if he had tried to punch that ball, he might not have got away it but because he had the balls and the bravery to come out to catch it, the foul was correctly given!’

As a consequence of an 18th clean sheet of an increasingly impressive personal campaign, Raya secured back-to-back Golden Glove awards which prompted Seaman to tweet ‘Legend’ after the Spain international acknowledged the gong on X.

Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, congratulated the match officials for overturning an ‘obvious error’ that could’ve had catastrophic consequences in the title race for his side.

Arteta said: ‘It was a call from the ref that is very brave, but very consistent with what they’ve been talking about all season.

‘When I have to be critical, I have been. And today I have to praise them, at least for giving the option to a referee to decide, away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call. And when you look at the action in that way, it is an obvious error.

‘It is a free-kick, and the goal has to be disallowed. So congratulations, because they made a big call in very, very difficult circumstances.

‘Today I have realised how difficult and how big the referee’s job is. Because you’re talking about a moment that can decide the history, and the course, of two massive clubs that are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives. And the pressure is huge.’

For relegation-threatened West Ham, the disallowed goal leaves them a point behind Tottenham, having played a game more.

Forward Jarrod Bowen told Sky Sports: ‘We had our big moment, and we thought we’d got back into the game. (But if you) look at something for five minutes, you’re trying to find something.

‘Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players. There’s lots of holding and grappling that goes on in the box. Are you going to look at those every time and give a penalty? Because that’s the only way that is the right way to do it.

‘It’s a corner kick, it’s physical, it’s the Premier League. There’s going to be contact and tussles.

‘People are going to say I sound bitter but I’m just being honest. I’m sure we could go back through every single game and see goalkeepers getting fouled and not getting decisions. If you’re going to give it, give it for every single thing every week.’

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo matched Bowen’s fury. He said: ‘You look at every corner in the Premier League and something like this is happening, not just today, but on all the pitches.

‘I am talking about the lack of consistency. The players are confused and frustrated, and they don’t understand it. It is upsetting. It is up to them to solve it, there is a referee and VAR, but the referees confuse themselves.’

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