Fulham’s Josh Maja hoped VAR would intervene at Arsenal – and also left unhappy at seven minutes of stoppage time
BY KAI BENNETT
Fulham striker Josh Maja was disappointed VAR didn’t “intervene” in Arsenal’s controversial late leveller and reckoned the seven minutes stoppage time was “a bit much”.
Maja scored the Whites goal from the spot in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday.
Speaking to Fulham’s club website, Maja said: “We did so much to keep them out, we worked hard, we gave it our all. In the end it wasn’t enough. We hoped VAR would intervene, Rob Holding was standing in an offside position. As everyone saw they gave the goal, so we have to now look to the next game and make sure to prepare.
“As you can see on the video, he’s clearly tried to score. Even seven added minutes [at the end] was a bit much, but that’s something we couldn’t control. We did our best to see it out but it wasn’t meant to be. We will now look to the next games and try to be confident and courageous and we need to prepare for them.
“If you didn’t watch the game and you saw the result was 1-1, then you would say it’s a good point for Fulham. But if you watch the game, we performed well, we nicked a goal and we probably deserved to win the game, so it’s unlucky but we’ll go again.”
Maja scored a penalty for Fulham in the draw against the Gunners and explained how he stayed calm when VAR were checking to make sure it was a spot kick.
“I’m confident when I’m shooting. It was actually my first penalty [goal] in my career, so I’m pleased to get that. Unfortunately it was in vain, but obviously I’m still pleased with it.
“You just focus on the penalty because if the worst comes to worst you don’t need to take it. If you’re not ready then it’s a recipe for disaster. I stayed focused and ready to take it and as you saw I stuck it away.”
Maja looks ahead to Fulham’s next game against Chelsea and says there is plenty of positives to take into it.
“Big positives [to take into the next game]. We’re going to have to do the same against Chelsea [as today]. We’re going to have to stick it out, work our way into the game and hopefully we can get a better result than today.”