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Arsenal fans have been left seething after claiming Aaron Ramsdale was ‘blatantly fouled’ moments before West Ham’s opener in their Carabao Cup exit.
The Gunners were dumped out of the League Cup on Wednesday night after they were comfortably beaten 3-1 by the Hammers on what was a unhappy return to the London Stadium for Declan Rice.
However, the Hammers’ first goal sparked the wrath of Arsenal fans online after replays showed that Ramsdale had his shirt pulled by Tomas Soucek moments before Ben White headed into his own net during a West Ham corner.
VAR will not be in use until the semi-finals of the competition and livid Arsenal supporters couldn’t believe the goal wasn’t overturned.
Furious Arsenal fans claim Aaron Ramsdale was ‘blatantly fouled’ before West Ham’s opener
Replays showed Ramsdale’s shirt was pulled by Tomas Soucek (centre) during the corner
One fan on social media said: ‘It’s amazing how when Ben white touched the hand of the keeper the goal was cancelled … but when ramsdale gets undressed in the box, the goal stands.’
Another added: ‘You missed the blatant foul on Ramsdale, as did the referee more importantly.’
One fan missed the memo that there was no VAR in use at the London Stadium, saying: ‘How has var let that go? Ramsdale was being held back…’
‘Is everyone just gonna ignore the fsct Ramsdale is having his jersey held onto by Soucek???’ another commented.
Fuming Arsenal fans were left bemused over how the goal was allowed to stand
The second goal arrived in the 50th minute when Ghana winger Kudus collected a long ball into the box from Nayef Aguerd, skipped past Oleksandr Zinchenko and rifled a low shot through the legs of Gabriel and into the net.
Rice was the only goalscorer the last time West Ham beat Arsenal, in the Premier League in 2019.
‘You should have signed for a big club’ was the mischievous chant aimed at the 24-year-old when he came out to warm up.
West Ham have booked their spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after beating Arsenal 3-1
Much of the build-up to the match centred around the reception the England midfielder would receive and when he was sent on in the 56th minute the boos were quickly drowned out by a standing ovation from most of the home fans.
But, before Rice had a chance to get into the game, West Ham had a third after Bowen collected White’s headed clearance and lashed it past Ramsdale via a deflection off Jakub Kiwior.
Martin Odegaard scored a consolation goal with the last kick but it was West Ham’s night as they marched into the quarter-finals.
