Arsenal’s quest for the Premier League summit took a hit as they faced a 2-0 loss against West Ham.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, previously at the top during Christmas, currently trail two points behind the league leaders, Liverpool, at the halfway mark of the season.
Despite dominating possession at the Emirates, Arsenal struggled to convert chances against a disciplined West Ham side. Tomas Soucek and former Arsenal player Konstantinos Mavropanos scored the goals, with Soucek netting in the 13th minute after a VAR review confirmed the validity of the goal.
Although Arsenal relentlessly pressed forward, West Ham’s goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola, denied a Bukayo Saka header. Despite their efforts, Arsenal fell behind 2-0 when Mavropanos headed the ball into the net from James Ward-Prowse’s corner.
Despite several attempts, including missed opportunities by Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal couldn’t find the back of the net. They faced further trouble when Said Benrahma couldn’t convert a late penalty, sealing their defeat.
The loss places Arsenal in second position with 40 points, trailing behind Liverpool, and Arteta expressed disappointment despite their dominance on the field. He emphasized the need for improvement in certain areas before their next game against Fulham.
Meanwhile, West Ham manager David Moyes praised his team’s performance, acknowledging their growth and sixth-place rise in the table.