Full TimePosted at 90’+5′ Second Half ends, West Ham United 2, Arsenal 2.Post updatePosted at 90’+3′ Attempt missed. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Kieran Tierney with a cross.Post updatePosted at 90’+2′ Attempt missed. Rob Holding (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kieran Tierney with a cross.Post updatePosted at 90’+1′ Substitution, Arsenal. Eddie Nketiah replaces Martin Ødegaard.Post updatePosted at 90’+1′ Substitution, West Ham United. Pablo Fornals replaces Saïd Benrahma.Post updatePosted at 90′ Attempt blocked. Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Michail Antonio.Post updatePosted at 89′ Attempt saved. Michail Antonio (West Ham United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Vladimir Coufal with a cross.Post updatePosted at 87′ Substitution, West Ham United. Josh Cullen replaces Lucas Paquetá.Post updatePosted at 87′ Substitution, West Ham United. Mbaye Diagne replaces Jarrod Bowen.Post updatePosted at 87′ Substitution, West Ham United. Saidy Janko replaces Andriy Yarmolenko.Post updatePosted at 85′ Substitution, Arsenal. Fábio Vieira replaces Kieran Tierney.Post updatePosted at 85′ Substitution, Arsenal. Reiss Nelson replaces Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal’s title hopes suffered a major blow as they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with West Ham in a thrilling London derby at London Stadium. The Gunners had looked to be cruising to victory after Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard put them two goals ahead inside the opening 10 minutes, but West Ham fought back to earn a valuable point in their relegation battle.
Said Benrahma’s penalty, after Gabriel had brought down Lucas Paqueta, gave the Hammers a way back into the game before Arsenal were awarded a spot-kick of their own following Michail Antonio’s handball, but Bukayo Saka shot wide. That proved costly as the hosts scored less than three minutes later through Jarrod Bowen’s superb volley from Thilo Kehrer’s lofted pass.
The Gunners had missed chances to wrap up the game only to concede twice and are now four points clear of Manchester City in the title race after Pep Guardiola’s side won 3-1 at home against Leicester on Saturday. They have seven matches left and play Southampton at home on Friday, before City, who have a game in hand, entertain Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on 26 April.
West Ham showed great character after conceding twice so early on and Antonio had a header pushed over by Aaron Ramsdale and Paqueta firing over the bar as they enjoyed their best spell at the end of the first half. Saka’s missed penalty lifted the atmosphere further before Bowen’s excellently taken volley gave West Ham fans hopes of a victory that looked impossible after 10 minutes.
Antonio’s 81st-minute header nearly snatched an incredible victory for the hosts but bounced off the crossbar in a frantic finish. Saïd Benrahma was named player of the match with an average of 6.91 and will be delighted with his performance as he helped his side earn a valuable point in their fight against relegation. West Ham remain 15th in the table but now four points above the drop zone with eight matches left to save themselves from the drop.