Roberto De Zerbi gives realest take on Arsenal and West Ham VAR controversy
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has given his verdict on the VAR saga involving West Ham and Arsenal.
The Hammers had a 95th-minute equaliser disallowed during their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday after a foul on goalkeeper David Raya.
Jean-Clair Todibo was seen pulling Raya's shirt as he contested a corner, while striker Pablo dug his arm into Raya's neck.
There have been differing views over whether the decision was the correct one, though Danny Murphy, speaking on Match of the Day, claimed that there would not be a discussion on the incident had it not involved Arsenal.
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West Ham are reportedly set to launch a complaint with PGMOL, the Premier League's refereeing body, over the decision.
Former top-flight official Dermot Gallagher told Sky Sports that VAR made the 'right decision', explaining: "When you watch it, there is so much going on and so much to look at.
"What happens is you have to go in chronological order ... the first foul is definitely by Pablo."
De Zerbi on Arsenal and VAR
Spurs boss De Zerbi was asked about the incident after his side's 1-1 draw against Leeds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night.
Spurs would ultimately be on the receiving end of VAR twice in the match, as Leeds were awarded a penalty over Mathys Tel's high boot before being denied a spot kick in injury time after a coming together between James Maddison and Lukas Nmecha.
That meant the topic of VAR took on even more significance in De Zerbi's post-match press conference, with the Italian referencing the incident involving Raya.
"I think they [the officials] were not calm today," he said. "Maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday, the West Ham and Arsenal game, the VAR.
"Maybe the VAR felt the pressure after the West Ham Arsenal game ... 200% it was a foul on Raya if you want to talk about football."
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Roberto De Zerbi on VAR after Spurs vs Leeds pic.twitter.com/1wXPqk9afP
"For sure, we suffered the pressure today, because of the speed of the ball, the order on the pitch. We didn't play with passion with the ball. [We were] frenetic.
"But also, the referee was not calm today. I don't know, I can't understand the polemic about yesterday's VAR, because he [Raya] was fouled 200 per cent. Not 100 per cent. 200 per cent. If you want to speak about football."
Topics: Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, VAR
Ryan Smart