The season of unpunished grappling at corners decided by a punished grappling at a corner. Pablo did have his arm across Raya. It was a foul. Along with three or four other fouls in the area from both sides, including by Rice (on Mavropanis) and Trossard, also Todibo. Raya most protected species, as a goalkeeper, so that foul punished. It is the correct decision, for all the howls of anguish. Pablo stops Raya gathering the ball. But this controversy, and the proliferation of such incidents at corners, has been caused by officials’ failure to clamp down on grappling this season. It’s a joke, and a stain on the sport, that such grappling has been allowed to grip the game. West Ham have had holding offences on their players – Bowen mentioned Soucek being held against Brentford. All teams have. Yet officials have not intervened consistently. Arsenal themselves have got away with a few this season. But there’s no conspiracy, as claimed by some online, just inconsistency by officials. Did Arsenal deserve victory? Just about yes. Their nerves kicked in after scoring, have to guard against that, but they showed their hunger for the title. Arteta was bold in the second half. Subbing a sub (Zubimendi) was a big call. But never play Rice, Arsenal’s driving force, at right-back again. Odegaard’s arrival definitely helped. Nobody can question the character of these Arsenal players. Some big blocks by Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel. Raya at 0-0. Arsenal now have relegated Burnley and Palace who may have an eye on their own Euro final. West Ham resilient but needed Wilson on earlier. If they do drop into the Championship, at least West Ham won’t have VAR to worry about. #WHUARS
