Arsenal moved a step closer to the Premier League title in dramatic and controversial circumstances after Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time equaliser for West Ham was disallowed, handing the league leaders a narrow 1-0 victory at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to break down a resilient West Ham in a tense London derby, before Leandro Trossard eventually broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute with a deflected strike that proved decisive.
The decisive moment of the match, however, came deep into stoppage time when West Ham thought they had rescued a point. Wilson appeared to bundle the ball in after Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya spilled a cross, but referee Chris Kavanagh, after a lengthy VAR review, ruled the goal out for a foul on the Spanish goalkeeper.
Replays showed Pablo had his arm across Raya in the incident, though the contact appeared minimal, while West Ham players also argued there were multiple challenges involving Declan Rice and Trossard in the buildup.
The decision sparked furious protests from West Ham players and loud boos from the home crowd, while Arteta reacted with visible relief on the touchline as Arsenal escaped with all three points.
Arsenal now sit five points clear at the top of the table ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who kept pressure on the leaders with a 3-0 win over Brentford on Saturday. City can cut the gap to two points if they win their game in hand against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
The Gunners, however, remain in control of the title race and could seal their first Premier League crown in 22 years if they win their final two matches against Burnley and Crystal Palace.
The victory further strengthens Arsenal’s remarkable late-season push, which has also seen them reach the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since 2006 after defeating Atlético Madrid in the semi-finals. They will face Paris Saint-Germain in the final in Budapest on May 30.
A domestic and European double would mark the most successful season in Arsenal’s 139-year history, with former captain Thierry Henry recently suggesting this squad could be remembered as the “unforgettables” if they complete the feat, drawing comparisons with the club’s legendary “Invincibles” side of 2003–04.
For travelling Arsenal supporters packed into one end of the London Stadium, the result could prove pivotal in a title race that now appears within touching distance of glory.
West Ham, meanwhile, remain third from bottom and are sliding further into relegation danger, sitting one point behind fourth-bottom Tottenham Hotspur.
On the pitch, Arsenal had early chances through Trossard, whose header was saved before he struck the rebound against the crossbar. The visitors suffered a setback when Ben White limped off injured, forcing Declan Rice to drop into a makeshift right-back role.
West Ham nearly capitalised before half-time when a diving header from Valentin Castellanos was superbly saved by Raya at full stretch.
Arteta adjusted at the break, introducing Cristhian Mosquera to restore balance and allowing Rice to return to midfield, but West Ham continued to threaten, with Mateus Fernandes denied by another crucial Raya save from close range.
The breakthrough finally came in the 83rd minute when Martin Ødegaard combined with Rice before feeding Trossard, whose shot deflected past Mads Hermansen.
West Ham’s late push ended in heartbreak when Wilson’s apparent equaliser was ruled out after VAR intervention, sealing Arsenal’s victory and leaving them just three wins away from potential “immortality.”
AFP
