Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions took a massive blow after a surprising 1-0 home defeat to struggling West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners, who finished the game with 10 men, were left frustrated and out of ideas after Jarrod Bowen’s decisive header just before half-time sealed the win for the visitors.
Mikel Arteta’s side, desperate to keep their title hopes alive, went into the match knowing that a victory would close the gap on leaders Liverpool. However, the defeat leaves them still eight points adrift, with Liverpool set to face Manchester City on Sunday — a match that could see the gap widen to 11 points if the Reds secure a win.
The game started with Arsenal dominating possession, but they struggled to convert their control into clear-cut chances. Missing key attackers like Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Bukayo Saka due to injury, the Gunners lacked their usual cutting edge up front.
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino, who came off the bench to score twice against Leicester last weekend, was deployed as a makeshift striker, but he found it difficult to break down a well-organized West Ham defense.
West Ham’s breakthrough came in the 44th minute when Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a pin-point cross from the right flank. Bowen rose above the Arsenal defense to head the ball past goalkeeper David Raya, giving the visitors a crucial lead just before the break.
Arsenal’s task became even more difficult in the 73rd minute when 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off. The young midfielder initially received a yellow card for a foul on Mohammed Kudus, who was breaking away dangerously on the halfway line.
However, after a VAR review and a consultation with the pitchside monitor, referee Craig Pawson upgraded the card to red — a decision that sparked protests from the Arsenal bench and fans.
Despite pushing hard for an equalizer in the final minutes, Arsenal couldn’t find a way through West Ham’s disciplined defense. Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard both came close with long-range efforts, but goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was up to the task, pulling off crucial saves to preserve the Hammers’ lead.
The defeat marks Arsenal’s first loss in 16 league games, with their last Premier League defeat coming against Newcastle in November. Now, with Liverpool holding the advantage and facing a struggling Manchester City side, Arsenal’s title challenge looks increasingly precarious.
As the final whistle blew, the frustration was evident on the faces of Arsenal players and fans alike. With key fixtures ahead and injuries piling up, Arteta will need to rally his squad quickly to avoid falling further behind in the race for the Premier League crown.
