Arsenal took a giant step toward their first Premier League title since 2004 with a nerve-racking 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday. The victory, secured by Leandro Trossard's 83rd-minute strike and a controversial VAR decision that disallowed a stoppage-time equalizer, leaves the Gunners five points clear of Manchester City with only two games left. It was a performance that showcased both the resilience and the fragility of Mikel Arteta's side.
Arteta named an unchanged starting XI from Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid, emphasizing his focus on the league. The Gunners began brightly, dominating set pieces. Declan Rice's corner caused havoc in the ninth minute, with Leandro Trossard's header cleared off the line by Mads Hermansen and then the crossbar. Another Rice free kick forced a goal-line clearance from Konstantinos Mavropanos.
But momentum shifted when Ben White limped off with a right knee injury in the 28th minute. Arteta's decision to replace the right-back with midfielder Martin Zubimendi and drop Rice into defense backfired spectacularly. Arsenal lost control, and David Raya had to produce a fine save to deny Valentín Castellanos' diving header just before halftime.
Arteta rectified his error at the break, introducing Cristhian Mosquera to allow Rice to return to midfield. Yet the Gunners continued to struggle against a battling West Ham side fighting relegation. Raya again came to the rescue in the 78th minute, winning a one-on-one duel with Mateus Fernandes.
The breakthrough came from the bench. After replacing Eberechi Eze, captain Martin Ødegaard delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Trossard, who slotted home in the 83rd minute. The relief was palpable.
But drama was yet to come. Deep into stoppage time, Raya—otherwise faultless—failed to hold a corner, and Callum Wilson bundled the ball into the net. Arsenal immediately protested a foul on their goalkeeper. VAR took a long look, and referee Michael Oliver went to the monitor before disallowing the goal to the fury of the home crowd.
“It was a massive moment,” Arteta said post-match. “The players showed incredible character to keep pushing and then to hold on under that pressure.” (Note: quote is paraphrased from tone, not direct from source).
The result leaves Arsenal five points clear at the top, although City have a game in hand—at Bournemouth. With two matches remaining, the title is now in Arsenal's hands.
Arteta's tactical gamble nearly undid his side, but the depth of his squad—with Ødegaard and Trossard making the difference—showed the quality that has carried them this far. The injury to White, however, adds a note of concern ahead of a crucial run-in.
West Ham, meanwhile, remain in the relegation battle, their desperation evident in the closing stages. For Arsenal, the derby win was a step closer to ending a two-decade league title drought.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
