Leandro Trossard’s goal could have won Arsenal the league title (Image: Getty)
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal pushed harder than ever to snatch the three points in the closing stages against relegation-threatened West Ham United. This game will live long in the memory as the drama that took place on both ends of the pitch could have had a significant impact on the title and relegation battle.
The Champions League finalists rode the momentum, registering 10 shots in the first 22 minutes. However, a combination of strong defense and good fortune saw West Ham’s last line stand strong and repel Arsenal’s advances. Arteta opted to push Declan Rice to right-back, helping West Ham regain control of the midfield despite an injury to Ben White in the first half. The Hammers entered the competition and Arsenal welcomed the half-time whistle.
Despite a switch in tactics at half-time, Arsenal continued to hold their breath. In fact, West Ham looked most likely to find a way out. They could very well have found a breakthrough had it not been for a brilliant save from David Raya to deny Matheus Fernandes. It felt like a monumental save at the time, but it was made even more significant by Leandro Trossard’s push in Martin Odegaard’s cut-back with 10 minutes remaining. West Ham looked to have narrowly leveled the score, but the most damning VAR check fell on Arsenal, who would end up being lucky. Express Sport publishes player ratings from a harrowing match…
He made a solid save to deny Valentin Castellanos’ diving header in the first half, but it was the effort he was expected to do. But it was his save with 12 minutes left that rightly stole the spotlight. As has often been the case this season, the Spanish goalkeeper stayed tall and blocked what looked like a guaranteed goal from Fernandes.
He had been given the ball a few times before the injury, but his cowardice in the tackle against Somerville seemed to hurt defenders. He retreated from 50/50, but ended up getting injured in the process. It didn’t look too good to see him stumbling off the pitch.
We had to fight hard when West Ham’s onslaught came, but we stood tall and stood tall and got out of the way when we needed to.
He made a sensational block near the end of the game to prevent a shot on goal, and was near perfect throughout the contest. Erling Haaland not going down after joining may have saved Arsenal’s season.
He was one of the best players on the pitch in the first half and played a key role in Arsenal’s opening stages. He came close to scoring the first goal, linking up well with Leandro Trossard on the left side of the attack. If you had been sold on Blake, which seemed like an eyebrow-raising change at the time, you would have been disappointed.
Although he started the game well and scored many goals, he must have doubted his manager’s sanity when he was asked to play 20 minutes at right-back.
There have been some changes since joining the team about a week ago. He started the game well, but after moving to left-back he wasn’t as involved in the attack. Still, the youngster was able to have a positive effect on the defensive side of the game.
Declan Rice was moved to right-back midway through the first half. (Image: Getty)
He continued to improve in midfield, but he didn’t have the authority to impose himself on the game like he did the previous week.
They struggled to find space in the first half, but aside from some efforts from long range, they were nowhere to be found. The Englishman, who was the man who sent Arsenal to the Champions League final in midweek, needed help from his team-mates on a nerve-wracking afternoon in east London.
Apart from a half-chance in the first half, the Swede was unable to find a goal until the end of the match.
He was signed in January 2023 to support Arsenal’s first title challenge under Arteta, but could have won the league three years earlier in 2026. A calm finish from inside the penalty area could be the difference between first and second place in the final race of the season.
When Arsenal found themselves in a promising position in the final third, they did not adapt to the pace of the game and gave the ball away.
He made sure to achieve this by taking a solid attack on the defense on the right side during the break.
The kind of cameo that Arsenal fans have been waiting for. He won the match by the scruff of his neck and produced a moment of victory.
Although he wasn’t very active on offense, he contributed on defense.
He helped stretch the pitch and certainly brought life to Arsenal’s attack.
