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Those looking for trials and tribulations in Arsenal's quest for the Premier League title weren't left disappointed Sunday as the Gunners travelled to West Ham for a London derby that initially looked over inside 10 minutes.
In the seventh-minute, a wonderfully constructed Arsenal move was finished by Gabriel Jesus after Martin Ødegaard played Ben White into space for a pass across the goalmouth that West Ham's Vladimír Coufal refused to deal with.
A dream start for the Gunners at the London Stadium!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 16, 2023
Three minutes later, the imperious Ødegaard volleyed home from Gabriel Martinelli's second cross in quick succession. Arsenal's traveling supporters entered dreamland while London Stadium entered the shadowland of relegation.
Odegaard with the volley and Arsenal lead 2-0 in under 10 minutes!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 16, 2023
But just as all hope was fading for David Moyes' boys, Declan Rice won possession off Thomas Partey, strode into the area and found Lucas Paquetá. The Brazilian's first touch was heavy, but Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhães — despite trying to pull out of the challenge at the end — rashly clattered his compatriot. Out of nowhere, the Hammers had a lifeline in the 33rd minute.
Here's a look at Gabriel's foul which led to West Ham's penalty.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 16, 2023
Saïd Benrahma sent Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way.
¡LOS ‘HAMMERS’ SE METEN AL PARTIDO!
️ El VAR dijo que si había penal para @WestHam y @Benrahma2 lo cobra.5 goles en la temporada de @premierleague
⚽️ West Ham 1-2 Arsenal
EN VIVO por @telemundo y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/n9dimafNOf#LigaPremierTD pic.twitter.com/bwP1oT7dM7
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) April 16, 2023
But Arsenal could've restored their two-goal advantage from the spot shortly after halftime when Michail Antonio blocked Martinelli's shot with an outstretched arm.
¡HAY MANO SEÑORES EN EL ÁREA!
Y el @arsenal puede aumentar su ventaja.⚽️ West Ham 1-2 Arsenal
EN VIVO por @telemundo y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/n9dimafNOf#LigaPremierTD pic.twitter.com/9dkqiYsyRN
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) April 16, 2023
Up stepped Bukayo Saka but the 21-year-old sent his penalty wide.
Bukayo.Saka misses his penalty!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 16, 2023
The answer to "how costly could that be?" was directly provided at the other end. Thilo Kehrer's ball into the area found Jarrod Bowen advancing unmarked, but the Englishman needed to produce a difficult piece of technique to pound a volley past Ramsdale.
Just two minutes after Saka's penalty miss, Jarrod Bowen finds the back of the net and West Ham are level!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 16, 2023
West Ham, now roared on by a crowd sensing its role in history, were on equal terms on the scoreboard and across the pitch, and Mikel Arteta responded by bringing on Jorginho for Partey and Leandro Trossard for Jesus. The changes couldn't resuscitate a stunned Arsenal while the Hammers hung on for a deserved point.
*Extremely Arlo White voice*: What could this mean for the title race?!
Arsenal still control their own destiny — if they win their final seven matches, they'll finish with 95 points while Man City could only reach 91 in that scenario. We can spend all day speculating about what back-to-back draws do to Arsenal's confidence (and twice throwing away a two-goal lead), but ultimately everything is building towards the monumental clash between the Gunners and second-place City in 10 days' time.
If that match at the Etihad ends in a draw, then Arsenal still have control with a new maximum of 93 points while City could only reach 92.
However, if City beats Arsenal at the Etihad, then the Cityzens could reach 94 points while the Gunners could only get to 92.
Before that potential title decider, Arsenal host last-place Southampton at the Emirates on Friday (Apr. 21).
City's next PL match is the one against Arsenal, but they travel to Munich for the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday (Apr. 19) before heading to Wembley for an FA Cup semifinal against Sheffield United on Saturday (Apr. 22).
Arsenal remaining EPL fixtures (7 matches)
- (H) Southampton (20th) on Apr. 21
- (A) Man City (2nd) on Apr. 26
- (H) Chelsea (11th) on May 2
- (A) Newcastle (3rd) on May 7
- (H) Brighton (7th) on May 14
- (A) Nottingham Forest (18th) on May 20
- (H) Wolves (13th) on May 28
Man City remaining EPL fixtures (8 matches)
- (A) Brighton (7th) PPD — Time TBD
- (H) Arsenal (1st) on Apr. 26
- (A) Fulham (10th) on Apr. 30
- (H) West Ham (15th) on May 3
- (H) Leeds United (16th) on May 7
- (A) Everton (17th) on May 14
- (H) Chelsea (11th) on May 20
- (A) Brentford (9th) on May 28
