Arsenal have benefitted more from VAR than 17 other Premier League clubs this season

A new study has shown that only two clubs have benefitted from VAR decisions more than Arsenal this season after their 1-0 win over West Ham.

The Gunners conceded what they thought was a 95th-minute equaliser against West Ham on Sunday through Callum Wilson's strike.

But VAR ruled the goal out for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya in the build-up.

Replays showed that Raya was having his shirt pulled by Jean-Clair Todibo as he went up to contest a corner, while Pablo leaned in to Raya's neck with his arm.

But some have questioned the decision, suggesting that there other fouls from both sets of players in the box could have been punished - although footage appears to show the Pablo foul occurred first.

On the flip side of that, others - including BBC pundit Danny Murphy - have said that the decision is only being debated because it is Arsenal involved, suggesting that there would be no such discussion or controversy if it had occurred to another club.

Read more: 'Just because it's Arsenal...' - Danny Murphy praised for best response to West Ham VAR controversy

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo accused the officials of not 'know[ing] what a foul is', while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the decision.

The call could have ramifications at both ends of the table come the end of the season, as a draw for Arsenal would have opened the door for Manchester City to win the Premier League title on goal difference should both teams win their final two matches.

And a point for 18th-placed West Ham would have moved them level with Tottenham in 17th, albeit having played a game more and with a worse goal difference.

A new study has shown that Arsenal have benefitted from VAR in terms of points tallies - and their gap to Manchester City at the top of the would be cut without it.

The study, compiled by AceOdds, states that City would now be in pole position to win the title without VAR, with Guardiola's side just one point behind the Gunners with their game in hand.

Brighton, meanwhile, would be seven points better off and move from seventh to fourth, with Bournemouth (increase of five points) moving to fifth.

That would drop Aston Villa (minus one point) and Liverpool (no change) down to sixth and seventh.

As far as the relegation places are concerned, West Ham would still be one point away from safety - but with their nearest rivals Tottenham having been replaced by Nottingham Forest.

That is because the study has assessed that Forest have gained six points as a result of VAR this season, while Spurs have lost out on four points.

Sunderland, who have also been six points better off due to the technology, would no longer be mathematically safe in 14th but would only need a point from their remaining matches, while Crystal Palace (four points better off) would only be four points above the drop, albeit with a game in hand.

In terms of what the overall table looks like come the end of May, the study predicts that Guardiola's side would win the Premier League title by two points without VAR, while West Ham will be relegated.

What the Premier League table would look like right now without VAR

1) Arsenal - 74 points

2) Manchester City - 73

3) Manchester United - 65

4) Brighton (+3) - 60

5) Bournemouth (+1) - 60

6) Aston Villa (-1) - 60

7) Liverpool (-3) - 59

8) Everton (+2) - 51

9) Fulham (+2) - 48

10) Chelsea (-1) - 47

11) Brentford (-3) - 47

12) Newcastle (+1) - 45

13) Leeds (+3) - 44

14) Sunderland (-2) - 42

15) Tottenham (+2) - 41

16) Crystal Palace (-1) - 40

17) Nottingham Forest (-1) - 37

18) West Ham - 36

19) Burnley - 24

20) Wolves - 20