Jarrod Bowen’s first-half header ends Gunners’ 15-match unbeaten run to leave them eight points behind Liverpool
Arsenal missed the chance to cut Liverpool’s lead at the Premier League summit as West Ham United won 1-0 to end the Gunners’ 15-match unbeaten run and inflict their first home defeat of the season.
Following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta’s team had the opportunity to go five points behind Arne Slot’s side, who visit Manchester City on Sunday.
However, Arsenal struggled to carve out chances against a well-drilled West Ham defence at Emirates Stadium and were punished when Jarrod Bowen nodded Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross home just before half-time.
Deprived of attacking options, Arsenal’s hopes were dented further when substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off in the 73rd minute.
Ben White went close to a last-gasp equaliser, but West Ham held on.
They stay 16th, 13 points clear of the relegation zone, while Arsenal could find themselves 11 points behind Liverpool by the end of the weekend.
West Ham frustrated Arsenal throughout the first half, with Mikel Merino, starting up front, prodding wide when presented with the Gunners’ best chance of the first 45 minutes. At the other end, Tomas Soucek twice headed over from near the penalty spot either side of Bowen sending a rushed effort trickling wide.
But Arsenal failed to heed those warnings and fell behind in the 44th minute. Wan-Bissaka burst forward to cross for the unmarked Bowen to nod in.
Bowen was inches away from turning Aaron Cresswell’s cross home as West Ham continued to threaten after the break, before Leandro Trossard finally worked Alphonse Areola with a low drive.
But Arsenal’s hopes of a comeback suffered a massive blow when Lewis-Skelly lost possession to Mohammed Kudus and immediately chopped him down, with referee Craig Pawson upgrading the punishment from a yellow card to a red after a VAR review.
A wayward stoppage-time shot from White was the closest Arsenal came to an equaliser, as they handed Liverpool the initiative at the top.
