Arsenal dropped two points in the title race in comically tragic circumstances – depends on who you ask! The Gunners had a two-goal lead after just ten minutes of play at the London Stadium, but lapses in concentration from Thomas Partey and a missed penalty from Bukayo Saka at 2-1 to Arsenal proved to be too much for a win against the inspired West Ham United.David Moyes’s side looked dead and buried, but Arsnal gave them CPR and let them get back into the game and claim a point they can be proud of. The Gunners stay in the Premier League lead, but there’s now only a four-point gap between them and second-placed Manchester City.Arteta put Kieran Tierney into the starting eleven due to what was described as a “slight” injury to Oleksandr Zinchenko. But the changes made little difference to the league leaders. It took them barely six minutes of play to get themselves in front. A nice team move ended with a low squared cross from Ben White that was easily turned into the net by Gabriel Jesus.Bukayo Saka misses a penalty and West Ham equalise a minute later. WOW 🤯 pic.twitter.com/tmGZaVcraz— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) April 16, 2023 It was a perfect start for the Gunners – but it got even better just three minutes later. Gabriel Martinelli spotted Martin Odegaard sneaking in at the far post and lifted a perfectly-weighted pass over everyone and on the Norwegian’s left foot. The captain made no mistake and the ball squeezed through the legs of former Gunner Lukas Fabianski in the Irons’ goal.Moyes’ team is low on confidence as it is – and the two early goals they conceded made their difficult task on the day even tougher. But those guys are in a relegation battle with their backs to the wall. They’ve got no choice but to give their all – whoever they’re playing against.Arsenal tried to lower the tempo and keep the ball as long as they can to suffocate the opponents – but in the middle of it all they gave a lifeline to the Hammers. Thomas Partey failed to protect the ball just in front of his area. Declan Rice dispossessed him and found Lucas Paqueta in the area. Just as the Brazilian was about to shoot, his compatriot Gabriel upended him and referee David Coote pointed to the spot. Said Benrahma sent Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way and reduced the deficit ten minutes before the break.Bukayo Saka had a chance to restore a two-goal lead from the penalty spot after Michail Antonio had handled the ball in the area. But the young winger allowed the pressure to get to him and he blasted the penalty wide of the target.Liverpool 2-2 ArsenalWest Ham 2-2 Arsenal ⏳Arsenal give up a two-goal lead for the second straight game 🙃 pic.twitter.com/fWYGh3aO2y— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 16, 2023 There’s the old unwritten rule that says you’d get punished for missing big chances and the punishment was dished out instantly today. Jarrod Bowen volleyed into the net to level the score shortly after the missed penalty. Ramsdale got a hand to it, but insufficiently to prevent it from creeping over the line via the inside of his left-hand post. For the second week in a row, Arsenal let a 2-0 lead slip away from home.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 31SaturdayAston Villa – Newcastle United 3-0 (1-0)/Ramsey 11, Watkins 64, 83/Southampton – Crystal Palace 0-2 (0-0)/Eze 54, 68/Chelsea – Brighton 1-2 (1-1)/Gallagher 13 – Welbeck 42, Enciso 69Everton – Fulham 1-3 (1-1)/McNeil 35 – Reed 22, Wilson 51, James 68/Tottenham – Bournemouth 2-3 (1-1)/Son 14, Danjuma 88 – Vina 38, Solanke 51, Outtara 90+5/Wolverhampton – Brentford 2-0 (1-0)/Costa 27, Hwang 69/Man.City – Leicester 3-0 (3-0)/Stones 5, Haaland 13(p), 25/SundayWest Ham United – Arsenal 2-2 (1-2)/Benrahma 33 pen, Bowen 55 – Jesus 7, Odegaard 10/18.30: (4.90) Nott.Forest (3.60) Man.Utd. (1.79)Monday21:00: (4.70) Leeds (3.75) Liverpool (1.79)***odds are subject to change
