Arsenal vs West Ham Report

Scorer: Bowen 44’

Red Card: Lewis-Skelly 73’

West Ham United inflicted a major blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium, ending the Gunners’ 15-game unbeaten home run.

Jarrod Bowen’s first-half header proved decisive as Graham Potter’s side secured back-to-back league wins at Arsenal’s home ground.

Arsenal Struggle in Lacklustre First Half

With Liverpool dropping points in midweek, Arsenal had an opportunity to close the gap at the top, but Mikel Arteta’s side lacked energy and intensity from the outset.

The hosts struggled to create chances, with their only shot on target in the opening half coming from Riccardo Calafiori, whose tame effort from the edge of the box was comfortably saved by Alphonse Areola.

West Ham, meanwhile, posed more of a threat in the final third. Tomáš Souček sent two headers wide, while Jarrod Bowen also went close after Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s precise cut-back found him in space, only for his effort to drift past the post.

Bowen Strikes as Hammers Take Control

The visitors’ pressure paid off just before the break when Wan-Bissaka delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. Bowen met it with a diving header from close range, leaving David Raya with no chance and silencing the Emirates.

West Ham nearly extended their lead shortly after the restart when Bowen almost connected with a teasing delivery across the face of goal.

Sensing his side needed a spark, Arteta introduced early substitutions, and Arsenal responded with more attacking urgency. Leandro Trossard came close to equalising, but his clever reverse effort was brilliantly saved by Areola’s outstretched leg.

Lewis-Skelly’s Red Card Derails Arsenal’s Fightback

Just as the Gunners were beginning to build momentum, their hopes were crushed in the 70th minute when substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off.

The youngster, who recently had a red card overturned against Wolves, saw his yellow upgraded to a straight red after a VAR review for a last-man foul on Mohammed Kudus at the halfway line.

Despite playing with 10 men, Arsenal continued to push forward, but they lacked the cutting edge needed to break down West Ham’s well-organised defence.

What This Means for Both Teams

• Arsenal: The defeat leaves Arteta’s side eight points behind league leaders Liverpool, but that gap could extend to 11 if the Reds win at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow—a margin that could prove insurmountable in the title race.
• West Ham: The Hammers secured just their second win in eight away matches, boosting their hopes to finish in the top half of the table and securing back-to-back league victories at the Emirates.

Final Thoughts

West Ham executed their game plan perfectly, defending resolutely while taking advantage of their limited opportunities. Arsenal, on the other hand, lacked urgency and struggled to create meaningful chances, with Lewis-Skelly’s red card compounding their frustrations.

With time running out in the title race, the Gunners must bounce back quickly if they are to keep their hopes alive. Meanwhile, Potter’s men will take confidence from this disciplined display as they look to climb further up the table.

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Arsenal v West Ham, 2024/25 | Premier League