West Ham deny Arsenal three points to hand City huge incentive in title race

April 16, 2023 Sports 2 Views

Bukayo Saka missed a crucial penalty as West Ham came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at the London Stadium and blow the Premier League title race open in the process.

Arsenal dropped vital points in the title race after a pulsating 2-2 draw with West Ham, that saw a two-goal lead blown, a penalty opportunity spurned and David Moyes’ men defend valiantly for 45 minutes.

How it happened – Arsenal race to two-goal lead

Despite the magnitude of the contest, Arsenal made a quickfire start with two goals inside the opening ten minutes.

First, a brilliant, flowing team move culminated in Ben White’s clever cut-back being tapped into an empty net by Gabriel Jesus, before Martin Odegaard added a second, clinically sweeping home from an excellent Gabriel Martinelli delivery.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta urged his side to use last weekend’s draw at Anfield as a source of motivation rather than disappointment, and they looked to have taken his words on board as they continued to dominate.

However, for all their attacking prowess, the Gunners gifted the hosts a lifeline before the break as Gabriel tripped Lucas Paqueta in the box, allowing Said Benrahma to confidently dispatch the resulting penalty, leaving Ramsdale with little chance.

Second half action

Arsenal began the second period on the front foot and were awarded a penalty of their own when Michail Antonio handled in the box. Bukayo Saka stepped up and sent his effort wide from the spot.

West Ham immediately punished that miss, with Jarrod Bowen rifling home to send the West Ham fans into raptures.

Antonio directed a close-range header against the woodwork in the closing minutes and Arsenal failed to find a winner as both sides shared the spoils.