IN the space of just a week, Arsenal have handed the Premier League title to Manchester City.
Talk about history repeating itself.
After throwing away a two-goal lead to draw away to Liverpool, Mikel Arteta’s side once again let certain victory slip from their grasp when once again leading by two goals.
But this one, against relegation-threatened West Ham, will hurt a lot more.
Arsenal looked ready to deliver carnage in east London when Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard both scored in the opening 10 minutes.
Yet Said Benrhama pulled one back with a penalty, Bukayo Saka missed from the spot after the break and then Jarrod Bowen equalised three minutes later.
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While there was a roar at the London Stadium, it would have been just as loud up in Manchester from those in blue shirts.
Arsenal may still be four points clear but City have a game in hand and these teams meet each other in 10 days.
It would be unfair to say Arsenal have completely blown the title but they have certainly pressed the self destruct button.
This was a bad day for Arsenal. Thomas Partey, outstanding this season, had a stinker while Aaron Ramsdale was not at his best.
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Arsenal should have been sharper in the final 30 minutes as they are no longer in Europe yet West Ham, who were away in Belgium in the Europa Conference, had just as much energy in what was a big point for the relegation-threatened Hammers.
Arsenal have a game on Friday at home to Southampton to increase their lead as Manchester City are in FA Cup action.
Arteta’s side made an early statement by scoring a brilliant opening goal. This was clever, patient football at its finest. Saka and Odegaard were involved before Ben White delivered the slide-rule cross for Jesus’ easy far post tap-in.
Right-back Vladimir Coufal appeared to be unaware that he had a player directly behind him although you could use the argument against Aaron Cresswell for the second goal three minutes later.
Cresswell lost concentration, failed to keep his position and when Martinelli delivered a second cross – after West Ham’s Thilo Kehrer cleared the first – Odegaard was left completely free. One of Arsenal’s top three players this season, Odegaard unleashed a brilliant volley which he made look a lot easier than it was.
In contrast, Arsenal made this match a lot more difficult than it should have been by handing West Ham a way back.
Thomas Partey was to blame for losing possession to Declan Rice to start the attack and for the penalty itself, Lucas Paqueta still seemed to instigate contact with Gabriel before throwing himself into the air.
Arteta was furious, also believing Rice had handled the ball but after a VAR check, David Coote’s decision stood and Benrahma tucked his spot-kick into the corner.
The entire mood of the game changed in an instant. West Ham were playing with confidence we had not seen in their terrible opening spell.
Yet while David Moyes’ side ended the half well, the second period was a disaster with Michail Antonio penalised for a clear handball.
Yet Saka delivered a penalty even worse than the one he missed at the Euro2020 final as he hammered the ball wide.
Yet within an instant, Arsenal’s title hopes took an even heavier blow.
Gabriel’s header upfield was met with a long punt into the area by Kehrer and Bowen, being played onside by the Arsenal defence, gambled by hitting the ball first time. It came at an awkward angle and was not a clean hit but Ramsdale could only push the effort against the post and into the net.
Arsenal lost confidence and stopped doing the simple things well, something they have been excellent at this season.
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Antonio, outstanding throughout, headed against the outside of the woodwork and although they did not deserve to win, West Ham deserved the draw
As for Arsenal, a point was a disaster.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
