Jarrod Bowen didn't hold back after West Ham's dramatic late equalizer against Arsenal was wiped out by VAR, leaving the Hammers captain furious over what he sees as a glaring lack of consistency in Premier League officiating.

The moment came in stoppage time at the London Stadium, where Callum Wilson smashed the ball home after Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya fumbled a set piece. But the celebrations were cut short when VAR official Chris Kavanagh instructed referee Chris Kavanagh to review the play on the pitchside monitor. After a second look, the referee ruled that West Ham's Pablo Felipe had fouled Raya, disallowing the goal that would have snatched a vital point for the relegation-threatened club.

The 1-0 loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal—courtesy of Leandro Trossard's late winner—deals a heavy blow to West Ham's survival hopes. With just two games remaining, the pressure is mounting, and Bowen made his feelings crystal clear in his post-match interview with BBC Sport.

"A real blow. We thought we'd done so well to get back in it and had it taken away from us," the West Ham captain said. "When you look at the screen for five minutes you'll find something—a lot of grappling and a lot of holding. I'm sure if you look long enough you'll find something. Do I think it's the right decision? No."

Bowen's frustration boiled over as he questioned the league's inconsistent application of the rules, especially in high-stakes moments like these. "Frustration. Where's the consistency? As a fan you don't want to celebrate a goal and then wait eight minutes and it's taken off you," he added.

The winger also pointed out the physical nature of the Premier League, arguing that contact at corners is part of the game's DNA. "Corners are physical. The Premier League is physical. That's why everyone loves it. You have to expect contact at corners. If you give that you have to give all the holding calls in the world and that's not the way people want the game to go down."

Drawing a direct comparison to a recent incident, Bowen highlighted the inconsistency that has fans and players alike scratching their heads. "I don't want to sound bitter but last week we had one with Tomas Soucek held at Brentford and we didn't get a penalty. But then you can't give one like that today."

Despite the setback, West Ham's skipper remains defiant about the club's fight for survival. "It's going to be tough (to stay up). We never say never at this club. We have two games left. We did a lot of good things today. We have to win."

For fans and players alike, this latest VAR controversy adds another chapter to the ongoing debate about technology's role in football—and whether it's robbing the game of its raw, emotional moments.