They'll be dancing in the streets of Liverpool as the north Londoners paid the price for a woeful attacking display Arsenal's title ...
They'll be dancing in the streets of Liverpool as the north Londoners paid the price for a woeful attacking display
Arsenal's title hopes suffered a significant blow as Jarrod Bowen's first-half header secured an unlikely 1-0 win for West Ham, with substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly seeing red on a miserable afternoon for the Gunners.
The Hammers' low block was working effectively to nullify Arsenal and they were looking dangerous themselves on the counter - Bowen coming close to a second as he almost got on the end of a deflected cross after an intelligent dart into the six-yard box.
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Then came the major talking point of the game as Lewis-Skelly, on as a sub for the disappointing Riccardo Calafiori, swiped Mohammed Kudus' legs on the halfway line as he looked to race away on the break. Referee Craig Pawson initially awarded a yellow card although that was correctly upgraded to red following a VAR review.
From there, the 10 men never looked like finding an equaliser and it's a result that will be celebrated wildly in Liverpool - Arne Slot's side now having the chance 11 points clear at the top, should they beat Manchester City on Sunday.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium...
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Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (6/10):
Beaten by West Ham's only shot on target but there was nothing he could do to keep out Bowen's close-range header. Produced Arsenal's highlight of the match by beating James Ward-Prowse in a foot race.
Jurrien Timber (5/10):
Tried to support Nwaneri with his runs up the right flank but there was zero end product.
William Saliba (6/10):
Was dealing well with the significant threat of Kudus, with the Ghanaian soon realising he might have more luck attacking Calafiori and Gabriel.
Gabriel Magalhaes (5/10):
More unsettled than usual as Bowen and Kudus consistently pressed and harassed. Might've dealt better with Bowen's run for the goal.
Riccardo Calafiori (4/10):
Well below his usually high standards. Loose with his passing and gave far too much room to Wan-Bissaka for Bowen's goal. Paid the price as he was substituted 10 minutes after half-time.
Arsenal FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
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Midfield
Declan Rice (4/10):
Shook off the abuse from the West Ham fans in the corner with a smile but they would've loved it as he completely lost Bowen's run for the goal. Hooked after an ineffective 55 minutes.
Thomas Partey (6/10):
Mopped up well with West Ham looking dangerous on the counter but did little to help the cause going forward.
Martin Odegaard (5/10):
Tried to rally the crowd but they needed much more from their skipper as he struggled to unlock the stubborn West Ham defence.
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Attack
Ethan Nwaneri (5/10):
Tried to make things happen as he frequently cut inside onto his dangerous left foot but West Ham did well to get tight and limit his influence on the game.
Mikel Merino (5/10):
Made some intelligent passes and forward runs but he had little to no impact in front of goal, unlike last week at Leicester.
Leandro Trossard (5/10):
Wasteful with his finishing and wouldn't have lasted the full 90 had Arteta had better options to choose from on the bench.
Subs & Manager
Myles Lewis-Skelly (2/10):
A nightmare cameo off the bench. Would've hoped his red card dramas were over for the season after the Wolves debacle but was correctly sent off here for mindlessly chopping down Kudus on halfway.
Replaced Rice in the heart of the midfield but had minimal impact.
Raheem Sterling (5/10):
Didn't do anything meaningful as Arteta eventually threw him on with nine minutes left.
Ben White (N/A):
Finally made his return in the final few minutes having not played since November and almost bagged the equaliser with a fizzing shot in stoppage time.
Mikel Arteta (5/10):
The end of Arsenal's title hopes? Quite possibly. Arteta made the right call to start Merino in attack after his impact at Leicester but with limited options on the bench, he wasn't able to swing the game in his favour and there was no coming back after the Lewis-Skelly red.
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