The call — which ruled out alternative interpretations — has once again sparked accusations of inconsistent officiating.
A Turning Point: The disallowed strike would have drawn Spurs level and possibly shifted the momentum in a high-stakes relegation fight, amplifying the anger and frustration among supporters.
The incident has further fuelled the ongoing VAR debate, with many fans insisting the system should intervene only for clear and obvious mistakes rather than subjective judgments. Across X and Reddit, plenty argued this situation fell squarely into the latter category.
Final Score — And Fallout
Despite the controversy, Spurs suffered a crushing 4–1 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Arsenal strengthened their grip on the Premier League title race and piled more pressure on their north London rivals. Still, the debate over the contentious decision looks set to overshadow the result.
Regardless of whether the verdict was technically accurate, the episode underlines one of modern football’s most divisive questions: when exactly should VAR intervene — particularly in pivotal moments where opinions are sharply s
plit?
