EPL: Arsenal make Champions League statement with West Ham win

Arsenal reclaimed a Champions League spot from rivals Tottenham with a 2-1 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium.

Before kick-off the pressure was piled on the Gunners as Tottenham beat Leicester earlier in the day to climb to fourth, a place and a point above their north London rivals.

Despite a lethargic start from both sides, the game came to life on 40 minutes when Rod Holding scored his first Arsenal Premier League goal, only for West Ham to equalise moments later through Jarrod Bowen, who has now netted ten times in the league this season.

However, early in the second half Gabriel headed home from a Gabriel Martinelli cross to put Arsenal back in front, and the Gunners then cruised their way to a crucial away victory.

The win sees Arsenal recapture the initiative in the race for the top four, with the Gunners now two points ahead of Spurs, while West Ham remain in seventh three points off Manchester United.

Arteta’s side take on Leeds next weekend, before facing Tottenham 10 days before the end of the season in a fixture likely to determine which north London side will secure the final Champions League spot.