West Ham 0-1 Arsenal result - VAR rules out last-gasp Callum Wilson equaliser as late Leandro Trossard strike seals big win for Premier League leaders

Arsenal took a huge step towards their first Premier League title since 2004 with a 1-0 win at West Ham United, but only after they survived a huge late VAR scare against the relegation-haunted Hammers.

With The Gunners playing out the final minutes of seven added following Leandro Trossard's 83rd-minute opener, West Ham sub Callum Wilson thought he had struck the equaliser after firing into the net from a loose ball in a packed box following a corner.

But VAR was forced to intervene after referee Chris Kavanagh initially gave the goal as the Hammers fans celebrated wildly.

With the match official ushered to the monitor, Kavanagh took a few minutes to study the footage before agreeing with the assertion that Wilson's fellow sub Pablo had been impeding Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya from reaching the ball despite several fouls going unchecked at the same time.

It was potentially a season-defining call and one that might be the crucial moment in the title race, with Raya also providing a massive moment with a sublime point-blank save from Mateus Fernandes seconds before Trossard slammed home Martin Odegaard's pass.

Trossard's header also hit the bar in the first half, but his deflected winner keeps Arsenal on course for a historic Premier League and UEFA Champions League double.

They are five points clear of Manchester City and will lift the title if they defeat relegated Burnley at home next Monday and win at Crystal Palace on the final day of the season in a fortnight.

Meanwhile, Nuno Espirito Santo's spirited West Ham remain 18th in the table, a point behind Tottenham, who host Leeds United on Monday night aiming to ease their relegation fears in moving four ahead of The Hammers following their 2-1 win at Aston Villa last weekend.

"A real blow. We thought we'd done so well to get back in it and had it taken away from us," said Jarrod Bowen speaking to the BBC.

"When you look at the screen for five minutes you'll find something, a lot of grappling and a lot of holding. I'm sure if you look long enough you'll find something. Do I think it's the right decision? No.

"Frustration. Where's the consistency? As a fan you don't want to celebrate a goal and then wait eight minute, and it's taken off you.

"Corners are physical. The Premier League is physical. That's why everyone loves it.

"You have to expect contact at corners. If you give that you have to give all the holding calls in the world and that's not the way people want the game to go down.

"I don't want to sound bitter, but last week we had one with Tomas Socuek held at Brentford and we didn't get a penalty.

"But then you can't give one like that today."

"The way the game finished, and we're all upset of course," said Nuno Espirito Santo on Sky Sports.

"I didn't pay attention to the replay just to not get more upset but there's a referee, there's VAR, there's circumstances in the past that would be judged different. Let's not say much further than that.

"Due to the recent seasons it's been happening and even the referees don't know what is a foul, what isn't a foul. It creates a lot of doubt and speculation around it.

"Let's look at the game overall, before that we had a good chance. We made a good match - character, belief, how we played and went for it.

"Overall a good performance which in the end doesn't come away with the result we wanted, needed and expected. We lost the game, finished.

"It was about being pragmatic, how to exploit weaknesses with our wing-backs and with exception to the goal we didn't allow much to Arsenal.

"Tough team we played against, stadium was amazing, the noise, energy so thank you to fans. It's our responsibility to bounce back, next two games and let's fight until the last second.

"The idea was to press with wing-backs high and create a higher defensive line and the three boys did an amazing job."

"It is a foul by Pablo holding Raya's arm and clearly impeding Raya," said Darren Cann, a former Premier League assistant referee on the BBC.

"Also, he is having his shirt pulled by Todibo as well. Unfortunately, I know it is a shame for West Ham given the timing of the game, but it is a foul, that is the bottom line.

"The arm is across Raya from Pablo, but crucially he is holding Raya's arm. He's not going to punch the ball, he is trying to catch it.

"The fact he has an arm on the keeper means he can't catch it and he is clearly impeded."

What a huge moment of pressure for referee Chris Kavanagh, but he probably called it just about right. But it is open to debate. Really is. West Ham will suggest their equaliser should have stood. Arsenal will tell you something else. Don't you just love the drama of football? Arsenal five points clear with two games to play. One hand on the title, West Ham with one on the trap door.

So much fouling, pushing and shoving in the box. But it is the initial foul by Pablo on Raya that has deemed the goal illegal. There goes the final whistle. It is a 1-0 win for Arsenal, who were so close to a win, defeat and a draw, but end up scraping over the line.

Well, this is so complicated. Looks like a foul is going to be awarded. Trossard pulling Pablo too. So much fouling going on. Rice on Mavropanos too. But did Pablo foul Raya first? Final decision is a free-kick to Arsenal. And the goal has been disallowed for Pablo fouling Raya.

This is incredible! Raya can't collect a corner. But it looks like he has been fouled by Pablo. Ball breaks to Wilson and he fires the finish into the net. VAR taking a look.

Trossard has picked up a booking for throwing the ball away. Fernandes free-kick flies over the box with nobody on hand to convert.

He is late on Callum Wilson, who has replaced Axel Disasi. Clock the big enemy now for the home side. Six minutes to be added.

If this result stays the same, Leeds and Forest will retain their top-flight status now. Even if it probably ruins Pep Guardiola's Sunday cuppa.

Well, it could well be. Raya with that remarkable save from Fernandes seconds before Trossard hit that vital opener. Gunners so close to a massive three points.

Martin Odegaard with a majestic piece of set-up play for Trossard to fire the ball into the net. A deflected finish left Hermansen with no chance. Phew! What a few minutes.

Noni Madueke replaces Bukayo Saka after Cristhian Mosquera is yellow carded for some foul play.

How has he kept that out? What a stop with his boot I think it was as Fernandes burst through from a deep run. Super little touch from Pablo. Such a good run, but the finish somehow eluded him.

Saka showing his frustration as he brings down Summerville on the run out wide. West Ham suddenly fancy the job here.

Diouf a willing runner our wide, but he overcooks the cross before Bowen slams a ball into the box that Raya does well to tip over. Raya then out to punch clear the Bowen corner. Heading for a fascinating finale to this match.

No nearer an opening goal for the Gunners as Gyokeres ends up nodding over from the Saka cross. Arteta involved in talks with his assistants about finding a formula to unlock the home team.

West Ham looking to take their chances on the break as Rice does superbly well to cover the run of Pablo and knock it away. Have to be wary of the threat of Hammers on the counter.

Rice drops a free-kick into the home area. Appeals for a handball against Pablo in there on the deck after Jean-Clair Todibo is yellow carded for fouling Viktor Gyökeres. VAR takes a quick look for a penalty shout, but nothing doing for Gunners.