Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes took a significant hit as West Ham secured a surprise 1-0 victory over the 10-man Gunners on Saturday.
With league leaders Liverpool not playing until Sunday’s clash with Manchester City, Arsenal had a golden opportunity to close the gap in the title race at the Emirates.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side suffered their first loss in 16 league matches as Jarrod Bowen’s first-half goal handed West Ham the lead, and the Gunners’ troubles deepened when Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off after the break.
Arsenal, in second place, now find themselves eight points behind Liverpool, who could extend their lead to 11 points with a win over a struggling City.
Mikel Merino, who scored twice off the bench in last weekend’s win at Leicester, started as a makeshift striker for an injury-hit Arsenal, missing key players like Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal’s attacking struggles were evident when Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a pinpoint cross, which Bowen headed in to give West Ham the lead in the 44th minute.
The Gunners’ misfortune continued in the 73rd minute when Lewis-Skelly fouled Mohammed Kudus as the West Ham forward broke forward.
Initially booked for the challenge, Lewis-Skelly saw his yellow card upgraded to a red after referee Craig Pawson reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.
