Hammers deal huge blow to Arsenal's title hopes
Arsenal missed the chance to cut Liverpool’s lead at the Premier League summit as it was reduced to 10 men and slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham United.
After Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in midweek, Arsenal had the opportunity to go five points behind the Reds, who visit Manchester City on Monday (AEDT).
However, Mikel Arteta's team struggled to carve out chances against a well-drilled West Ham defence at Emirates Stadium, having deployed Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker after his matchwinning brace at Leicester City last week.
Arsenal's sloppy display was punished when Jarrod Bowen nodded Aaron Wan-Bissaka's cross home just before half-time, after West Ham had squandered three half-chances.
Deprived of attacking options, Arsenal’s hopes were dented further when substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off in the 73rd minute, having chopped Mohammed Kudus down with a last-man challenge.
Ben White went close to a last-gasp leveller, but West Ham held on.
It stays in 16th, 13 points clear of the relegation zone, while Arsenal could find itself 11 points behind Liverpool by the end of the weekend.
Arteta was not happy with what his side showed.
“We started the game and we never got a grip of it. We didn't generate a threat or momentum," he said.
“They have the quality to deliver those moments and after that, it becomes a difficult game.
“We got the red card and that was another big mountain to climb and we tried to react but we didn't have enough quality moments to unlock things at the back.
“Credit to West Ham, they were really aggressive in their duels."
Arteta refused to be drawn on the sending off of Lewis-Skelly, who is the youngest player to receive multiple red cards in the Premier League after his dismissal against Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.
Asked for his thoughts on the decision, Arteta said: “I don't know, I haven't seen it back. The decision has been made, it's done. Let's move on.
“It is painful but this is sport. We need to feel the pain today, I think we deserve that.”
Meanwhile, West Ham boss Graham Potter was delighted with his side’s performance as he earned his second win since joining the club last month.
“It’s a massive performance for us,” he said.
“I’m delighted for the players and the fans. Tactically, it was a very disciplined performance. Really good."
Potter was delighted with the way West Ham threatened on the counter-attack, with Bowen applying a close-range finish after a driving run from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Potter hopes the win can provide a significant confidence boost to his side for the rest of season, adding: “Jarrod and Aaron and Mo [Kudus] give us a counterattacking threat.
“We defended with discipline and resilience but we carry an attacking threat as well. The win brings confidence and belief.
"This result is really big for us and hopefully, it allows us to move forward in a positive way."
