West Ham ended Arsenal’s unbeaten home record.
Image credit: Fabrizio Romano
Mikel Arteta’s men controlled possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances against a disciplined Hammers side.
With Liverpool leading the league, this defeat puts Arsenal at risk of falling further behind in the title race.
The decisive moment came just before halftime when Jarrod Bowen capitalized on a lapse in Arsenal’s defense.
A well-worked West Ham move saw Aaron Wan-Bissaka deliver a pinpoint cross into the box, where Bowen outjumped his marker and sent a powerful header past David Raya.
Arsenal’s Frustration Grows
Despite going into the second half with renewed energy, Arsenal found it difficult to break down West Ham’s defensive structure.
Arsenal lose at home to West Ham and fail to take advantage of Liverpool's draw vs. Everton.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 22, 2025
They are now eight points behind Liverpool 👀 pic.twitter.com/8McgxVmUNK
Declan Rice, facing his former club, worked tirelessly in midfield, trying to dictate play, but he found little support from his teammates.
The Gunners struggled to find a way past the visitors’ backline, with Mikel Merino—deployed as a makeshift striker—failing to make an impact.
Arteta made changes in the second half, bringing on fresh legs to inject more pace into the attack, but West Ham remained resolute.
The Hammers defended deep, cutting off Arsenal’s passing lanes and restricting them to hopeful long-range efforts.
Lewis-Skelly’s Red Card Adds to Arsenal’s Woes
As Arsenal pushed for an equalizer, their evening got even worse in the 73rd minute.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, brought on as a second-half substitute, lunged into a late challenge on Mohammed Kudus, catching the Ghanaian midfielder high on the ankle.
The referee initially showed a yellow card, but after a VAR review, the decision was upgraded to a straight red.
The sending-off left Arsenal with 10 men for the final 20 minutes, making a comeback even more difficult.
West Ham took advantage by slowing the tempo, keeping possession when possible, and frustrating the Gunners.
West Ham’s Tactical Discipline Seals the Win
West Ham executed their game plan perfectly, absorbing pressure and hitting Arsenal on the break when the opportunity arose.
Graham Potter’s side showed composure in defense, with Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd forming a solid partnership at the back.
Bowen’s goal proved enough, as the visitors managed the game expertly in the closing stages, seeing out the match without allowing Arsenal a real opening.
What This Means for Arsenal
This result leaves Arsenal trailing in the title race, with pressure mounting on Arteta to find solutions to his side’s attacking struggles.
With 12 matches left in the season, they must bounce back quickly to keep their hopes alive.
Meanwhile, West Ham’s impressive win lifts them into the top half of the table, marking a strong resurgence under Potter.