Tottenham Boss Fires Back at Arsenal VAR Controversy: 'I Simply Can't Understand It'

Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham Hotspur missed the chance to put daylight between themselves and West Ham United in the Premier League survival battle on Monday night, having directly benefited from what may be the most consequential VAR decision in the competition's history the previous day. The Italian manager stands by that ruling.

West Ham believed they had grabbed a late equalizer against Premier League table-toppers Arsenal, threatening to damage the Gunners' title ambitions, when Callum Wilson powered home from a set-piece scramble.

However, Wilson's effort was disallowed after an extended VAR review, with David Raya adjudged to have been obstructed by West Ham's Pablo from the original corner kick. The weight of the decision sparked widespread controversy, with strong opinions on both sides of the argument.

While De Zerbi had no objection to the overturning of Chris Kavanagh's original on-field decision, he did hint that Jarred Gillett's "frenetic" performance on Monday night may have been shaped by the surrounding drama.

VAR Overturn "200% Correct"

De Zerbi was more visibly frustrated on the touchline than at any point since taking charge of Tottenham, as his side struggled against a robust Leeds outfit and squandered a significant opportunity.

The 1–1 stalemate leaves them two points ahead of the Hammers with two matches to go, and their relegation rivals could temporarily climb to safety by defeating Newcastle United at St. James' Park on Saturday, before Spurs return to action on Tuesday.

De Zerbi conceded his team underperformed, but he was equally critical of Gillett's handling of the match.

"From the first minute to the final whistle, the referee kept telling me, 'if you step out, yellow card,' and I think they weren't composed today," he told reporters. The Italian was cautioned late on for stepping onto the pitch, having already been warned in the opening half for leaving his technical area.

"Maybe they felt the pressure from the West Ham-Arsenal game and the VAR situation. We certainly felt the pressure too — in the tempo of play, in the structure on the pitch — and we didn't play with any patience.

"It was frantic and we were rushed, but the referee wasn't composed either," he added.

And while the topic wasn't put to him directly, having dominated football conversation since it unfolded given its potential implications, De Zerbi offered his view: "I can't understand the controversy because it was a foul, 200%, not 100%, if we're talking about football."

The Tottenham head coach declined to be drawn into a debate over the calls that went against Spurs on Monday night, most notably Mathys Tel's concession of a penalty and the spot-kick they were denied following Lukas Nmecha's challenge on James Maddison.

When pressed specifically on the latter, De Zerbi responded: "No, I don't want to get into the controversy. I didn't see it. I haven't watched it back. I don't know."

2025–26 Premier League Relegation Picture