Arsenal vs West Ham Review
West Ham ended Arsenal’s impressive 15-match unbeaten streak at home in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory, marking their second consecutive league win at the Emirates Stadium and delivering a significant blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations. Although Liverpool dropped points earlier in the week, Arsenal started the match sluggishly, delivering a lackluster first-half performance. Their best opportunity came from Riccardo Calafiori, who managed the only shot on target in the first half but sent it directly into the arms of a relieved Alphonse Areola from the edge of the box. For West Ham, Tomáš Souček missed a couple of headers, and Jarrod Bowen narrowly missed the target with a shot from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cut-back.
Bowen and Wan-Bissaka players linked up for the Hammers’ goal just before halftime, with Wan-Bissaka delivering a beautiful cross that Bowen converted with a diving header from close range, surprising the Emirates crowd. Bowen nearly scored again shortly after the second half began, almost connecting with a dangerous ball that was sent across the goal. Mikel Arteta opted for early substitutions, which seemed to energize his team, as Leandro Trossard’s shot was well saved by Areola’s extended leg.
However, Arsenal’s chances of making a comeback were severely impacted in the 70th minute when substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly, whose red card from a previous match against Wolves had been rescinded, received another red card. The young player fouled Mohammed Kudus at the halfway line while being the last defender, and after a VAR review, his initial yellow card was upgraded to a red.
Despite being at a numerical disadvantage, Arsenal continued to press forward but ultimately lacked the necessary quality. Graham Potter’s team rightfully secured only their second win in eight away games. Although Arsenal’s deficit behind Liverpool stays at eight points, it could increase to an almost insurmountable 11 if Liverpool wins at the Etihad Stadium.
