West Ham defeat Arsenal as Gunners miss opportunity to close gap on Liverpool
Arsenal failed to capitalize on a chance to narrow the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool, as West Ham ended their four-game winless streak with a shocking victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen secured the decisive goal against a lackluster Arsenal side, who later saw Myles Lewis-Skelly sent off for a professional foul.
A win would have brought Arsenal within five points of Liverpool, who play Manchester City on Sunday. However, the Gunners struggled to break down a resolute West Ham defense that also created the better opportunities during the match.
Bowen’s 50th Premier League goal came late in the first half. He initiated and completed the move, collecting a loose ball in his own box and feeding Aaron Wan-Bissaka, before heading in the resulting cross.
Despite dominating possession in the second half, Arsenal failed to test West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola significantly. Their hopes of a comeback were further dashed when Lewis-Skelly received a red card following a VAR review for denying Mohammed Kudus a clear goalscoring opportunity.
West Ham held firm to claim a vital win, moving 13 points clear of the relegation zone and level on points with Manchester United in 15th, though they remain 16th due to goal difference.
Arsenal, now at risk of falling 11 points behind Liverpool, will look to recover when they visit Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
Toothless Gunners’ dealt major blow
Liverpool now have the opportunity to move 11 points clear of the Gunners at Etihad Stadium on Sunday – although Slot’s team will have played a game more than their closest challengers at the end of the weekend’s action.
After scoring twice off as a substitute at Leicester City last weekend, Mikel Merino was handed a starting berth in the hosts’ attack alongside Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri.
The Spain international was lively in the early stages but unable to get on the end of an outswinging Thomas Partey cross towards the back post, before sending a left-footed effort high over the bar from a tight angle.
Riccardo Calafiori registered Arsenal’s only shot on target before the interval, sending a fierce effort straight at goalkeeper Areola from the edge of the area, before Bowen displayed the ruthless edge the home side were lacking all afternoon.
The tension was palpable around Emirates Stadium even before Bowen’s goal, and the home fans’ anxiety soon turned into frustration in the second half as clear-cut openings remained few and far between.
Mikel Arteta’s team committed everyone forward late on but Ben White – making his first appearance in more than three months – sent a fierce effort narrowly wide of the far post as Arsenal ended the game with only two shots on target.
The Gunners travel to high-flying Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, while Liverpool welcome Newcastle to Anfield that same night.