By Our Correspondent

National News – Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has defended the VAR decision that ruled out West Ham United’s stoppage-time equaliser against Arsenal in a tense Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium.

The late goal, scored by Callum Wilson, initially appeared to have secured a dramatic point for West Ham, but celebrations were cut short after a VAR review identified a foul by Pablo Fornals on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya during the build-up.

Following the review, the goal was disallowed, preserving Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 victory and strengthening their position in the title race while leaving West Ham struggling near the bottom of the table.

The controversial moment has continued to spark debate among fans, analysts, and former players, with Rooney weighing in during his appearance on The Wayne Rooney Show.

He insisted that officials made the right call, pointing out that contact on the goalkeeper clearly interfered with Raya’s ability to challenge for the ball.

According to him, the arm across the face of the goalkeeper was enough to justify the disallowance, especially in a high-stakes match where every decision carries significant consequences.

Rooney also praised the use of VAR in such a crucial situation, saying it helped ensure fairness in a match that had major implications for both ends of the Premier League table.

However, he admitted his long-standing belief that goalkeepers often receive strong protection from referees, noting that even minimal contact in the penalty area is usually penalised in their favour.

The former striker added that goalkeepers already enjoy a natural advantage due to their permitted use of hands and physical presence in the box, which often makes attacking challenges more difficult for outfield players.

Despite mixed reactions from supporters of both clubs, the decision ultimately stood, with Arsenal securing three vital points in their push for the league title while West Ham continued to battle relegation pressure.