It was two minutes that would outline the Premier League season.
After Michail Antonio was adjudged to have dealt with Gabriel Martinelli’s shot, Arsenal and Bukayo Saka had the possibility to dampen a resurgent West Ham and put themselves 3-1 up.
Saka – contemporary off scoring all 4 of his Premier League penalties for the Gunners, together with two this season – had the possibility to virtually definitely assure Mikel Arteta’s aspect one other victory and put their lead on the prime again to 6 factors over Manchester City.
But the 21-year-old – who’s within the operating to be the Premier League participant of the season after a tremendous marketing campaign – remarkably put his penalty extensive of Lukasz Fabianski’s purpose and the Hammers and their supporters have been instantly lifted.
Two minutes later a hopeful ball excessive from Thilo Kehrer discovered Jarrod Bowen and he fired previous Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale – though the Gunners No 1 maybe ought to’ve accomplished higher with the trouble as he palmed the ball onto the publish and in.
Bukayo Saka missed a vital penalty for Arsenal on Sunday as they drew 2-2 with West Ham
Two minutes after Saka’s penalty miss, Jarrod Bowen equalised for a resurgent Hammers aspect
The Gunners are actually simply 4 factors away from Manchester City, having performed one recreation extra
The Gunners appeared shell-shocked and struggled to regain their composure for the remainder of the sport. It may’ve been even worse if Antonio’s effort had not clipped the publish late-on.
The 2-2 draw got here only a week after Arsenal had equally thrown away a 2-0 lead at Anfield when going through Liverpool and leaves their title hopes hanging within the stability.
Arteta’s aspect are actually simply 4 factors away from Man City having performed a recreation extra forward of one of many largest matches in Premier League historical past subsequent Wednesday when the groups face off on the Etihad.
Before then, Arsenal host Southampton on Friday night time and are prone to go seven factors clear with City not in motion as a result of FA Cup semi-finals.
But, given all season lengthy followers have advised Arsenal will implode, with two disappointing away attracts, are they actually starting to?
It had all began so effectively on the London Stadium because the Gunners raced right into a 2-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes due to objectives from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard.
They gave the impression to be cruising earlier than the Hammers have been awarded a penalty after Gabriel fouled Lucas Paqueta, with Said Benrahma making no mistake from the spot.
It’s self-inflicted objectives like this which might be starting to hurt them, with Thomas Partey responsible of giving the ball away within the build-up when he tried to flick it over Declan Rice.
While there have been query marks over whether or not Paqueta went down too simply, Gabriel’s lunge was reckless and gave referee David Coote a choice to make.
By gifting away this purpose, the struggling Hammers acquired a lifeline and regardless of some very good saves at Anfield final week to maintain his aspect within the recreation, Ramsdale will likely be disenchanted with Bowen’s equaliser.
Questions are starting to be raised whether or not Arsenal are beginning to implode within the title race
West Ham’s penalty was barely tender nevertheless it was a reckless lunge by Gabriel on Lucas Paqueta
Aaron Ramsdale then ought to have accomplished higher with Jarrod Bowen’s effort which levelled the tie
Against Liverpool, it may’ve been even worse if Mohamed Salah hadn’t, like Saka, blasted his penalty extensive after Rob Holding’s clumsy problem, whereas Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White have been overwhelmed too simply for the Reds’ equaliser.
There is little question Arsenal are forward of the place they have been anticipated to be presently of Arteta’s stewardship, having gone from a staff not even within the Champions League to title challengers after beforehand ending eighth twice.
This is clear of their squad depth, with the absences of Zinchenko and William Saliba – who has missed the final 4 video games – each hitting them arduous yesterday.
Holding is a big drop-off from Saliba and located himself being bullied by Antonio throughout the latter phases of the match, whereas Tierney – little question a high quality left-back – struggled to have the identical influence when tasked with coming inside into midfield like Zinchenko.
Partey has additionally been essential for the Gunners despite yesterday’s mistake. However, within the 5 video games he has not featured in, they’ve had two of their three defeats this season.
It have to be famous issues are trying higher elsewhere, with Jesus in very good type since coming back from a knee damage he suffered on the World Cup.
The former Man City man now has 4 objectives in three begins and given Leandro Trossard deputised so effectively in his absence, the Gunners have very good depth in attacking areas.
Eddie Nketiah – who additionally impressed initially when Jesus was out, earlier than lacking the final six weeks with an damage – returned late off the bench on Sunday and he gives another choice alongside the imperious trio of Odegaard, Martinelli and Saka.
Given the place they’ve come from, it’s exceptional for Arsenal to even be on this place but when they have been to overlook out on the Premier League title having been prime for just about the entire season, it might be a serious blow for Arteta and Co.
The Spaniard should now preach calm forward of the ultimate interval of the marketing campaign, however issues are usually not going to get any simpler with a troublesome run-in to come back.
Gabriel Jesus has been in tremendous type since coming back from a major knee damage final month
Arsenal’s attacking belongings are purring, however issues are starting to emerge in defence
Mikel Arteta now must revitalise his aspect forward of their ultimate seven video games of the marketing campaign
After the Southampton and City clashes, Arsenal face 5 extra video games.
But in there they’ve a London derby in opposition to Chelsea and – regardless of the Blues’ fairly frankly dreadful season – Frank Lampard will certainly handle to get his aspect up for that one.
They additionally journey to Newcastle in what’s probably the hardest fixture on paper, earlier than internet hosting in-form Brighton – who proceed to blow groups away with their very good model of play.
Arsenal finish the season with a visit to an embattled Nottingham Forest earlier than internet hosting Wolves on the ultimate day.
The one factor they do have of their favour is that they are solely preventing in a single competitors, whereas Pep Guardiola’s aspect are nonetheless on target for a treble.
Along with eight league video games, they might additionally face six different fixtures if they’re to get to the ultimate of each the FA Cup and Champions League – that means City could have seven extra matches than Arsenal between now and the tip of the season.
However, their run-in is way friendlier, and other than Arsenal, the one prime half sides they face are Brighton (seventh), Brentford (ninth) and Fulham (tenth).
There can also be the added reality City look in imperious type having gained their final 10 video games in all competitions by a margin of 37 objectives to 4.
They even have earlier for the run-in, with City infamously profitable an astonishing 18 of their ultimate 19 video games in 2018-19 to pip Liverpool to the title by one level.
Similarly, final season, from Christmas onwards, they gained 15 out of their ultimate 20 video games, shedding simply as soon as as they once more edged out Jurgen Klopp’s aspect by one level to win their fourth title in 5 seasons.
Manchester City have historical past on the subject of entering into prime form throughout the title run-in
Pep Guardiola’s aspect are in very good type, having gained their final 10 video games and scored 37 objectives
City are a juggernaut when the strain is on they usually know what to do, evidenced by their current run of type after a dip within the aftermath of the World Cup.
Whatever occurs, we have been handled to a different very good title race by two nice Premier League sides the place the image has always modified all through the season to the purpose Pep Guardiola’s aspect now appear to be favourites.
Arsenal will greater than possible go seven factors clear on Friday once they entertain Southampton earlier than that crunch conflict on the Etihad subsequent Wednesday.
Arteta must get his aspect rested and revitalised after a chastening afternoon on Sunday as we now enter the all-important stage of the season with all of it nonetheless to play for.
