Arsenal survive West Ham pressure to secure huge three points in title race

Arsenal survive West Ham pressure to secure huge three points in title race Arsenal somehow found a way. In one of the most tense and nerve-shredding matches of the season, the Gunners escaped the London Stadium with a priceless 1-0 victory over West Ham thanks to a second-half strike from Leandro Trossard and a heroic display from David Raya. This was never comfortable.

Not for one second. Arsenal dominate early before West Ham grow into the contest Mikel Arteta fielded the same squad that beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 (agg) midweek . Arteta’s side started brightly and looked capable of blowing West Ham away early on.

Bukayo Saka tested the goalkeeper inside five minutes before Riccardo Calafiori twice fired over from promising positions as Arsenal piled on the pressure. The visitors dominated possession during the opening stages and created a string of dangerous moments, but West Ham somehow managed to keep the ball out. Arsenal had six attempts within the opening exchanges and it felt like only a matter of time before the breakthrough arrived.

Yet football rarely follows the script. Ben White’s injury midway through the first half disrupted Arsenal badly and the entire rhythm of the side changed once Declan Rice shifted into the right-back role. West Ham suddenly grew into the contest and began asking questions of the Arsenal defence.