Arsenal edged a step closer to the Premier League title with Leandro Trossard’s late goal and a slice of fortune in stoppage time, securing a 1-0 victory at relegation-threatened West Ham United to put them five points clear, at the London Stadium.
Apart from a dominant opening 25 minutes, Arsenal struggled against a battling West Ham side and needed two great saves from goalkeeper David Raya to keep the hosts at bay.
Both sides were desperate for a victory for contrasting reasons and Arsenal were breathing a huge sigh of relief after a tough first half.
In the second half, Trossard fired home after being picked out by Martin Odegaard in the 83rd minute after a brilliant piece of individual brilliance. The goal sent the Arsenal fans in the stadium into a frenzy.
However deep in stoppage time, Substitute Calum Wilson drove a shot through some players in he box to seemingly earn West Ham a priceless point in their battle to extend their 14-season stay in the top flight.
Silence descended around the stadium as VAR checked for a foul on Raya by West Ham’s Pablo. Referee Chris Kavanagh watched replay after replay on the monitor before deciding to disallow the goal.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked like dropping points to keep the door open for chasing Manchester City but Trossard’s 83rd-minute goal means that victories over Burnley and Crystal Palace will guarantee their first English crown since 2004.
It completed a stunning week for Arsenal who reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since 2006 by beating Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
“It has been a hell of a week, a rollercoaster of a week, with everything we have had to play for and all of the emotions in those games,” Arteta said.
“It was a massive call but it was clearly the right call. Today I have realised how difficult and how big the referee’s job is.”
Victory left Arsenal on 79 points from 36 games with City, who have a game in hand against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, on 74 from 35.
West Ham stay third from bottom on 36 points from 36 games and will be desperately hoping that Leeds United can take points off 17th-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
Sunday’s Premier League results
burnley 2-2 Aston Villa
Crystal Palace 2-2 Everton
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle
West Ham 0-1 Arsenal.
