Nuno Espirito Santo blasts officials after controversial VAR vs Arsenal call
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo has criticized the management following the controversial VAR decision that denied his side a 95th minute equalizer against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Hammers appeared to have grabbed a crucial point in their battle for survival when Callum Wilson bundled the ball home in stoppage time, but the goal was disallowed after a lengthy review.
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The defeat leaves West Ham in 18th place, one point behind Tottenham, while Arsenal are five points clear at the top.
The decision to punish West Ham’s Pablo for playing David Raya was described by commentators as “the biggest call of the season.”
Nuno Espirito Santo criticizes the referees
Speaking to Sky Sports shortly after the final whistle, a visibly frustrated Nuno did not hold back in his assessment of the standards of management in the modern game.
The Portuguese coach said that the inconsistency in defining “insult” creates a state of confusion for players and managers alike.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Because of the situation and the way it ended, we are all sad.
“Look, there are referees and VAR, there are situations in the past that were judged differently. Let’s not go there.”
Nuno continued to express his disbelief in the interpretation of the rules: “Because of the recent seasons, it was happening. Even the referees do not know what is wrong and what is not wrong. It creates doubt. We played a very good game; Arsenal is a difficult team, but we lost the game with a decision that we cannot control.
“Because of the recent seasons it was happening [similar incidents]. Even the referee does not know what is bad and what is not bad, it creates doubts.
“Let’s look at the game as a whole. We played a very good game. Arsenal are a difficult team. We lost the game.”
“The referees don’t know what or what is not a bad thing” ?
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo says some situations have been judged differently in the past ?? pic.twitter.com/lpL4kwSSjc
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 10, 2026
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Jarrod Bowen Says David Raya should expect company
Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen echoed his manager’s words, highlighting the state of the Premier League.
Bowen suggested that goalkeepers are overly defensive in set situations, often due to the competitive spirit of the game.
“Corners are physical. The Premier League is physical. That’s why everyone loves it,” argued Bowen. “You have to expect contact in the corners. David Raya is a top goalkeeper, but at that time, he has to expect company. If you do that as a bad thing, you have to make a call in each box. It’s about consistency, and at the moment, we don’t see it.”
With just two games left to save their season, West Ham’s frustration is at an all-time high as they head into the crucial final stage where every decision could be the difference between safety and the Championship.
