LEANDRO TROSSARD’S late goal ensured Arsenal remain in the driving seat to end their 22-year wait for a league title.
The Gunners edged a nervy affair at the London Stadium as they at the top of the table.
Leandro Trossard won it late on to keep Arsenal’s title dreams alive Credit: Reuters
A late VAR call saved Arsenal from an injury-time disaster after David Raya was fouled by Pablo Felipe Credit: Getty
‘s side had been a bag of nerves for the majority of the game, but came up with the goods when it mattered most.
Only for one of the most dramatic VAR decisions in Premier League history to rule out an injury time equaliser and keep Arsenal’s dream alive.
The Gunners will be feeling like the stars are aligning and are now just two wins from their first league title since the Invincibles of 2004.
Here’s how SunSport Arsenal Reporter rated each individual performance…
DAVID RAYA – 9
Arsenal simply would not have won this game if wasn’t in goal.
Superb save to deny West Ham striker Valentin Castellanos from opening the scoring with a diving header in the first half.
But it was his second-half stop when stormed through one-on-one that ensured Arsenal were able to snatch all three points late on.
Looked like he had gone from hero to villain when West Ham got a late equaliser after he tipped a corner away, but VAR made the right decision to rule it out for a foul by Pablo Felipe.
Raya’s sensational save kept Arsenal in the game Credit: Getty
BEN WHITE – 5
Didn’t have much of an impact before being forced off with an injury after a clash of knees with Crysensio Summerville.
Replaced by Martin Zubimendi after less than half an hour.
Ben White was forced off with an injury before the 30-minute mark Credit: Getty
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
Did really well to drift over to the right side and help out after he was moved to full-back.
Another strong performance from Saliba, who has been Mr. Consistent for the Gunners for so long.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 8
Physically dominant in every duel, as well as firing some some progressive passes into the midfield to start Arsenal attacks.
Another one of his incredible last-ditch blocks denied Callum Wilson a last gasp equaliser.
Gabriel Magalhaes has made a habit of making last-ditch blocks to save his team Credit: Reuters
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Caused a lot of trouble down the left flank in the early stages, but made a mess of a golden opportunity to put Arsenal ahead in the first 10 minutes.
Had to be taken off at half-time as Arteta tried to find a way to put Rice back into midfield.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Forced to play at right-back after White’s early injury.
Arsenal lost a lot of control when he was pushed into defence and Arteta quickly rectified that by returning Rice to the middle of park for the second half.
A solid performance no matter where he was deployed.
Declan Rice had to play at right-back due to Ben White’s injury Credit: Getty
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7
Arteta is clearly a big fan of what Lewis-Skelly has been doing in the last few games, because he twice decided to keep the teenager on the pitch following White’s injury.
He is definitely more effective in midfield, with his line-splitting passes and physical approach.
But he still did well when he returned to left-back for the second half.
EBERECHI EZE – 5
Eze has been described as a ‘moments player’ a lot this season.
The problem with that is, when those moments don’t come, he can be largely anonymous at times.
This was one of those games.
Eberechi Eze was unable to leave his mark on the game Credit: Alamy
BUKAYO SAKA – 5
A much quieter game from the winger, who found himself isolated at times on the right flank.
Even when he did get the ball, he wasn’t able to do much with it.
Two long-range efforts were wastefully blasted over by the England international.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 9
The Belgian has been quiet for large parts of this season after starting the campaign on fire, but he is looking back to his best now.
Trossard was finding dangerous passes, holding on to the ball and even leaping like a salmon to test with his head.
It wasn’t just his attacking play that was impressive, but also his defensive contribution when West Ham started to take control of the game.
His late goal, his first in 25 games, put Arsenal back in the driving seat for the title and could be the most important goal of the Gunners’ season.
Leandro Trossard fired home the winner for Arsenal Credit: AFP
VIKTOR GYOKERES – 7
The Swede has been understandably criticised heavily for his link-up play and technical ability this season.
However, he has looked a different player in recent weeks and this was another good showing.
Gyokeres is looking more comfortable with the ball at his feet and bringing his teammates into the game.
SUBSTITUTES
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI (for White, 28mins) – 4
Couldn’t dictate the midfield by himself when Rice was at right-back.
Some mishit passes let him down at times, too.
Despite being brought on as a substitute, . One to forget.
Martin Zubimendi was substituted off, despite coming on as a sub Credit: Alamy
CRISTHIAN MOSQUERA (for Calafiori, 45 mins) – 6
Arteta should have brought Mosquera on as soon as White went down, rather than having to retrospectively fix his mistake.
Although he is not the most attacking full-back, Mosquera offers a security that allows those in front of him to go forward with more intent.
KAI HAVERTZ (for Zubimendi, 67 mins) – 7
Calm and collected when he came on to help Arsenal keep control of the ball in the final third.
MARTIN ODEGAARD (for Eze, 67 mins) – 8
Did brilliantly well to keep the ball and find to set up the Arsenal winner.
The Arsenal captain changed the game when he came on and was the reason they even had a late chance to win it.
Martin Odegaard changed the game for Arsenal in the final third Credit: PA
NONI MADUEKE (for Saka, 80 mins) – N/A
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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