The published VAR audio from Match Officials Mic’d Up makes clear why West Ham United’s late equaliser against Arsenal was ruled out. Referees’ chief Howard Webb defended the outcome after a lengthy video check that examined multiple incidents in the penalty area.

“Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically yes,” Webb told Match Officials Mic’d Up. He argued the deciding factor was the specific interference with the goalkeeper’s arm that prevented routine handling. “We’ve said all season that if a goalkeeper is impeded by an opponent grabbing or holding their arms and therefore they can’t do their job, they’ll be penalized. We’re not just talking about contact with goalkeepers, we’re talking about a specific type of contact when the goalkeeper’s arms or hands are being interfered with, stopping them doing their job.

“So when you see the best angle on this, you’ll see that that’s what happens from Pablo. And on the video, it’s clear and it’s obvious, and it happens early. And even though it’s not clear and obvious to the referee, because he’s got a huge group of players in a penalty area, and it’s difficult to see, when the VAR sees this, of course, they have to get involved.”

The audio shows the VAR team identifying Pablo’s action on Raya as the most significant contact, while also flagging Leandro Trossard holding Pablo and Declan Rice impeding Konstantinos Mavropanos. The exchange includes the VAR panel recommending an on-field review: “VAR: It’s literally just a possible foul on Raya, what I’m seeing in terms of that.” and “VAR: Chris [Kavanagh, referee], I’m going to recommend an on-field review for a possible foul on the goalkeeper, but there are some other incidents to look at while you’re at the monitor as well.” The referee then confirms the decision: “After review, West Ham number?” “19.” “Foul.”

Webb said officials aim to identify actions that are impactful on a player’s ability to perform. “When they’re trying to identify what should be penalized, they’re looking for situations that are impactful,” he said. He also noted the wider nature of the issue across the division, citing Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hürzeler’s unusual step of enlisting a Mixed Martial Arts fighter to help with penalty-box duels. Webb confirmed further discussions with clubs and stakeholders will follow. “We consult all the time with the clubs, with the fan groups, with a range of other stakeholders about the type of game that they want to see and how they want us to officiate it,” Webb concluded. “This season’s been a little bit more unique than previous ones about the number of contacts in the penalty area, and it does create a challenge for the officials. ]”

Arsenal have confirmed Ben White will miss the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign after suffering a knee ligament injury in the 1–0 victory over West Ham United. The club described the injury as “significant” and said the 28-year-old will be unavailable for the final two Premier League fixtures against Burnley and Crystal Palace, as well as the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

White’s absence continues a difficult run of fitness for the fullback. He underwent knee surgery in 2024–25 and made 26 appearances that season. In 2025–26 he has featured 30 times, with recurring trips in and out of the infirmary limiting his availability.

With White sidelined, Arsenal are without both of their preferred right-backs for the decisive closing fixtures. Jurriën Timber is also out while managing a groin problem, and Arteta is likely to rely again on natural centre back Cristhian Mosquera at right fullback. Mosquera is a workable short-term solution for the remaining domestic games, but the role offers little cover for the Champions League final, where questions remain about the right flank, particularly facing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Arteta himself admitted Timber is still “not fit to play,” let alone start, leaving uncertainty over whether the Dutchman can be available in time for the final in Budapest.

White’s recent international recognition underlined his rise before the injury. He earned his first England call-up during the March international break since the 2022 World Cup, earning a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s squad over Trent Alexander-Arnold. He scored in a 21-minute cameo against Uruguay and then started in the 1–0 defeat to Japan.

The injury now clouds White’s summer plans, with a prospective move to the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer likely affected. Arsenal have not given a precise timetable for his return but said they will assist the defender’s rehabilitation so he is ready for the start of preseason.

The 2025/26 Premier League season shows how a single distant review can alter outcomes and, cumulatively, the shape of the table. Arsenal have gained five points from VAR interventions and would still lead the division without video review, but by a much narrower margin. With VAR Arsenal sit on 79 points; without it they would have 74.

Manchester City have seen only one fixture materially affected by a VAR overturn. In January they were awarded a first-half penalty which Erling Haaland converted at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma later scored what would have been a match-winner but the VAR correctly identified a blatant trip from Diego Gómez on Jérémy Doku, turning three points into one for the champions.

Brighton are the side most disadvantaged by VAR this term. They would be seven points better off without it and would sit above Liverpool and Aston Villa in the top four. Opponents have been awarded three penalties on VAR reviews against Brighton, while the Seagulls were denied a spot kick in a goalless draw with Crystal Palace. They have also had two potential equalizers overturned by delayed offside checks.

Bournemouth have also been hindered by video review, provoking repeated objections from Andoni Iraola, who remarked: “We have very short sleeves,” he bizarrely pointed out. The Basque coach has questioned where officials draw the line on handball decisions.

Liverpool and Manchester United would show the same points totals regardless of VAR. For Liverpool, however, perceptions of inconsistency persist. “I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone this season that if there’s a VAR intervention or if there’s something that could be left or right [50-50] then the decision goes against us,” the Liverpool manager fumed after his side conceded a controversial goal at the hands of United’s Benjamin Šeško . Recent weeks, though, have seen VAR both penalise and aid the Reds with overturned calls and flagged offside goals.

Only Sunderland have benefited more from VAR than Arsenal. Key interventions for the Gunners came across three matches. Some decisions, such as the disallowed Callum Wilson goal for West Ham, are widely accepted as correct; others remain contested, including events in Arsenal’s 1–0 win over Everton where the Key Match Incidents panel found Everton were wrongly denied a penalty.