Arsenal glimpse title glory

LONDON, MAY 11: Arsenal are within touching distance of their first Premier League crown for 22 years after a VAR "earthquake" rocked the title race in their contentious 1-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta's side were embroiled in a controversial stoppage-time incident that looked set to derail their title bid before a VAR intervention tilted the balance of power back to north London.
Leading through Leandro Trossard's deflected 83rd minute goal, the Gunners were stunned when West Ham's Callum Wilson lashed home in the final moments after Arsenal keeper David Raya dropped the ball inside his penalty area.
But West Ham's celebrations were curtailed when VAR official Darren England told referee Chris Kavanagh to consult the pitch-side monitor to check a potential foul by Pablo on Raya before his fumble.
After a lengthy delay ratcheted up the drama, Kavanagh agreed that Pablo had impeded the keeper and returned to the pitch to announce the goal had been disallowed.
Arteta and his players breathed a collective sigh of relief, while Arsenal's fans exploded in celebration as jeers rang out from disbelieving West Ham supporters.
It was a moment of such emotional intensity that it will surely stand as the defining image of the season if Arsenal go on to win their 14th English title and first since 2004.
The Gunners are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City and will be crowned champions if they win their last two matches at home to Burnley on May 18 and at Crystal Palace on May 24.
They could seal the trophy even earlier if City fail to win their game in hand against Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
That would allow Arsenal to wrap up the title with a victory over relegated Burnley.
For third-bottom West Ham, it was a brutal blow in their battle to avoid relegation.
The Hammers remain one point from safety but fourth-bottom Tottenham would extend that gap to four with just two games left if they beat Leeds on Monday.
What was surely the most consequential VAR decision in Premier League history inevitably sparked differing verdicts from Arteta and West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.    �"AFP