West Ham vs Arsenal score, result, highlights from Premier League as Gunners again squander 2-0 lead

Raj Singh Mahil

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West Ham vs Arsenal score, result, highlights from Premier League as Gunners again squander 2-0 lead image

LONDON STADIUM — Arsenal are on the brink of blowing their Premier League title challenge after letting a two-goal lead slip for the second straight game, this time drawing at West Ham United.

A month ago, the Gunners looked an unstoppable force, fast becoming known as the comeback kings. Now, the opposite: as the pressure ramps up and the margin for error decreases, these players are starting like a house on fire and ending hosed down.

It was a collision of master and apprentice as Mikel Arteta faced his former Everton boss in David Moyes, with the Arsenal manager looking to re-open a six-point lead over another of his mentors in Manchester City's Pep Guardiola.

The cross-capital trip should have been a simple one for Arsenal, with the Irons in the thick of a relegation battle and with a horrendous record in this fixture. But it wasn't — at least, not for the last 60 minutes.

Arsenal cruised into a two-goal lead within 10 minutes, as a shell-shocked West Ham looked out of place on the same field. Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey toyed with the home backline on the edge of the box, before the switch was flipped and a throughball arrived at the feet of Ben White. He squared it for Gabriel Jesus to tap in to an empty net.

The second was similarly easy for the league leaders. Gabriel Martinelli took a second bite of the cherry from the left, swinging a cross into an onrushing Martin Odegaard at the back post. He made no mistake, slotting past Lukasz Fabianski first time. It marked a 10th goal contribution in nine games for Martinelli, who has come up clutch in this title run-in.

Arteta's boys didn't need to get out of second gear for the next 20 minutes. They could pick and choose when to slightly raise the tempo, but it was pure domination of the ball. Partey in particular was in control, positionally excellent and picking his passes perfectly. Everything was going through him, before eventually arriving at the likes of Martinelli or Odegaard, who were purring and bringing out the party pieces.

As with much of this season, it seemed barely believable that this was largely the same team that impressed so greatly a year ago en route to a seventh-placed finish and a Europa League semifinal run. The heartbeat of the team, Mr. Reliable and captain fantastic Declan Rice, was being made to look ordinary on a day in which he'd have been hoping to impress his reported summer suitors. 

Then, a shift in mood from nowhere to breathe life into the East London faithful. Partey had a rare lapse as he was dispossessed by Rice, who played it to Lucas Paqueta in the box. Compatriot Gabriel, who until that point had snuffed out every attack, went in for a sliding challenge but tried to pull out — however, his knees still took out the playmaker and a penalty was awarded. Said Benrahma, who also scored from the spot at Emirates Stadium in December, converted.

The Irons ended the half the better team, with some concerted pressure and a real increase in aggression. Kurt Zouma, who had been penned back for so much of the half, was suddenly pushing Martinelli and Jesus back at the halfway line. Kieran Tierney, in for the injured Oleksandr Zinchenko, was culpable in giving away possession multiple times.

Four minutes into the second half, Arsenal were gifted a chance to restore their two-goal advantage, with Michail Antonio being called for handball on a shot from Martinelli — slightly harsh, given how close he was to the effort. 

Saka couldn't capitalise, though. The England international blazed his penalty wide to his left, missing from the spot for the first time since the Euro 2020 final. Stratford erupted — and then did again three minutes later.

A clearance from a West Ham throw seemed to have the Gunners well out of danger, with Thilo Kehrer lofting a hopeful ball over the visiting defence and back into the penalty area. It fell to Jarrod Bowen, running in from the right, who put it past Aaron Ramsdale to draw level. For the second time in a week, Arsenal had thrown away a 2-0 lead on the road.

Arsenal managed to get their feet on the ball with a solid period of possession in the opposition half for the last 20 minutes of the game, but it was all too sterile. They played in front of a firmly held West Ham barricade, who then unleashed Benrahma and Bowen on extremely menacing counters. There was no real invention to break through from the men in black.

The drab second half leaves Arsenal four points clear of City, though having played a game more. Unless the Erling Haaland-powered Citizens contrive to drop points elsewhere, Arteta's men need to win all six of their other games and get at least a draw at Etihad Stadium on April 26. 

For West Ham, the draw doesn't lift them out of 15th place and Moyes' men are still in danger, albeit with fresh hope. The Irons are four points above the drop zone, with a Europa Conference League quarterfinal second leg against Gent to look forward to on Thursday. 

The Sporting News was covering the action live in East London, with score updates and highlights below. 

MORE: Updated Premier League standings and race for the Champions League

West Ham vs Arsenal final score

  1H 2H Final
West Ham  1 1  2
Arsenal  2 0  2

Goals: 
West Ham — Benrahma (33), Bowen (54)
Arsenal — Jesus (7), Odegaard (10) 

West Ham vs Arsenal live updates, highlights from Premier League

FULL-TIME: It's all over. Arsenal's title challenge stutters for the second time in seven days, with another 2-2 draw on the road. 

90th min: Nketiah is thrown on to try and save the day, with five minutes of additional time to play. 

82nd min: Arsenal get away with one. Antonio is found by Benrahma's cross at the far post, but hits the woodwork with his header. With the clock ticking, the visitors look more likely to lose this than win it. 

75th min: At long last, Arsenal are getting a foot on the ball and camping out in the opposition half. However, other than a Saka counter and tame effort which began this spell, there hasn't been any real danger. 

66th min: The first set of substitutes as Arteta tries to swing the game back in his favour, with Leandro Trossard and Jorginho on for Jesus and Partey, respectively. 

61st min: West Ham are really cooking with gas down the right flank now, with Jesus needing to help out the struggling Tierney. Goalscorer Bowen has a dangerous ball flash across the box, and has another threatening foray into the area. 

54th min: GOAL! West Ham equalise through Jarrod Bowen! London Stadium erupts for the second time this half as a lofted, hopeful ball forward from Kehrer fools the entire Arsenal defence and lands for Bowen just a few yards out. The winger puts it past Ramsdale with a first-time effort. 2-2. 

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52nd min: MISS! Saka puts it wide to his left! Huge let-off for West Ham and it remains 2-1. 

50th min: PENALTY! Antonio handles the ball in the area from Martinelli's strike, albeit from extremely close range. Arsenal have a chance to restore the two-goal advantage from the spot.  

46th min: The second half is underway. No changes at the break. 

HALF-TIME: Two breathless bursts of action sandwiched a training ground tempo for the majority of the half, as we head into the interval with Arsenal leading 2-1. 

38th min: The home fans have woken up, particularly after another close call. Michail Antonio's header goes into the ground and bounces narrowly over Ramsdale's bar. A couple of corners follow, with the English goalkeeper unconvincing on the second. 

33rd min: GOAL! Benrahma makes no mistake from the spot, scoring a second penalty against Arsenal this season. West Ham are back in it! 2-1. 

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31st min: PENALTY! West Ham have some hope. Partey with a rare lapse is dispossessed by Rice, who plays in Paqueta in the box. Gabriel actually tries to pull out of his sliding challenge, but his knees still take out his compatriot. 

27th min: Other than one free-kick which came to nothing, the Irons have offered nothing, though are at least being allowed some of the ball in their own half. Odegaard, meanwhile, is absolutely purring, producing some flicks right out of the top draw. 

18th min: Arsenal have settled into a rhythm now and West Ham look incapable of winning possession back. Partey is commanding the midfield comfortably, and Arsenal can turn it on at any second they choose to. Jesus and Martinelli are switching frequently as the former gets on the ball out left. 

10th min: GOAL! Sensational start for the Gunners! It's all far too easy again, this time the attack starting down the left with Martinelli. His initial cross with the outside of his boot is cleared, but it ends up back with the Brazilian, who swings it in with his right foot to Martin Odegaard. The captain makes no mistake from a couple of yards out. 2-0. 

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7th min: GOAL! Brilliant play from Arsenal to go 1-0 up! The men in black were toying with the Hammers' defence on the edge of the box, Saka teasing from the right before the ball eventually ends up with Ben White crossing to Gabriel Jesus, for a tap-in at the back post. 

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4th min: West Ham feisty in the challenge early on, pressing well as Arsenal attempt to dictate the tempo in midfield. Martinelli swings in a cross for the first half-chance of the afternoon, but Gabriel can't connect with his head. 

KICK-OFF: The bubbles have been blown, and we're underway! 

15 mins to KO: Plenty of eyes today with be on Declan Rice, with West Ham's captain fantastic having been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in recent months. Widespread reports suggest the Gunners will make him a key target in the summer transfer window, particularly given the injury history of both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny. 

Despite the hosts' struggles this season, Rice has been typically reliable in the heart of midfield. The England international is the only West Ham player to have completed every minute of league play in 2022/23, while ranking narrowly second for tackles won (64) and top by almost 800 for passes completed (1,675) in the squad. 

Declan Rice West Ham 012923
getty image

35 mins to KO: There's not too much to be hopeful about for the Irons today, given Arsenal have been quite simply imperious on the road in London derbies this term, winning all five so far. 

Indeed, Arteta's young guns are looking to seal a season with a 100% clean sheet record in such fixtures, after producing the following results so far: 1-0 at Chelsea, 2-0 at Tottenham Hotspur, 2-0 at Crystal Palace, 3-0 at Fulham and 3-0 at Brentford. 

55 mins to KO: West Ham also have injury concerns at the back, with Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd both missing, so Thilo Kehrer starts in defence. Benrahma is given an opportunity at the other end of the field. 

Outside of Tierney's inclusion in place of Zinchenko, the other notable change for the Gunners is on the bench, as striker Eddie Nketiah returns from injury. 

1 hour to KO: Team news is in, and the most significant update for Arsenal is around left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, who misses out after sustaining a groin injury at Liverpool. This comes after Arteta declared there was "no problem" for the Ukrainian in his Friday press conference. 

1 hour 20 mins to KO: Gabriel Martinelli is the danger man for West Ham to be particularly wary of this afternoon. After a poor run of form which saw some fans question his place in the side during the winter, the Brazilian has bounced back ferociously. 

He's come up clutch with seven goals and two assists across the last eight games — including the sole strike of the win at Leicester City, while scoring one and making the other at Anfield last Sunday. He also has a career-high four goal contributions across his four starts against West Ham. 

1 hour 40 mins to KO: Arsenal hold a very strong record against West Ham — only Aston Villa have suffered as many home defeats to the Gunners (14) as the Irons in the Premier League era. 

The North Londoners' trip here last Spring was a 2-1 victory, with centre-backs Gabriel and Rob Holding scoring in a drab affair. That duo will almost certainly start again today, given the injury worries of William Saliba. 

2 hours to KO: Welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage from Stratford, as relegation-battling West Ham United host title-chasing Arsenal. 

These sides last met a few miles north on Boxing Day, in the first matchday after the World Cup break. The Gunners ran out 3-1 winners on that winter evening, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah inspiring a comeback following Said Benrahma's first-half penalty. 

West Ham vs Arsenal lineups, team news

Moyes has confirmed no changes on the injury front for the home side, with Italy international Gianluca Scamacca still sidelined and requiring knee surgery, but he is expected to rotate from their 1-1 UEFA Europa Conference League draw at Gent.

Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio started on the bench in Belgium and come back into the starting XI.

West Ham starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Fabianski (GK) — Coufal, Kehrer, Zouma, Cresswell — Rice, Soucek — Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma — Antonio

West Ham subs: Areola (GK), Johnson, Anang, Downes, Emerson, Cornet, Lanzini, Ings

Arteta confirmed William Saliba is not yet ready to return to the defence, meaning he is likely to name an unchanged team following last weekend's 2-2 draw at Liverpool. Eddie Nketiah is back on the bench, though.

Arsenal starting lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale (GK) — White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney — Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka — Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Arsenal subs: Turner (GK), Walters, Kiwior, Jorginho, Nelson, Nketiah, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Trossard

West Ham vs Arsenal live stream, TV channel

  TV channel Streaming
USA USA Network, Telemundo Fubo, Telemundo Dep. En Vivo, NBC Sports
Canada — Fubo Canada
UK Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League Sky GO, Now TV
Australia — Optus Sport
New Zealand Sky Sport Premier League Sky Sport NOW
India Star Sports Select 2 Jio TV, Hotstar VIP
Hong Kong Now Premier League
(Ch. 620-621)		 Now Player
Malaysia Astro SuperSport 3

Astro GO, sooka
Singapore Hub Premier (Ch. 221-222) StarHub TV+

UK: This match will be broadcast live in the UK via Sky Sports' TV and streaming services.

USA: This match will be televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo (Spanish) with both streaming on Fubo, which is available on a free trial for new users.

Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via Fubo in Canada.

Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport. 

West Ham vs Arsenal betting odds

  West Ham
win		 Draw Arsenal
win		 Both teams
to score Y / N		 Over / Under
2.5 goals		 Arsenal
-0.5		 West Ham
+0.5
BetMGM
(USA)		 +475 +310 -175 -120 / -118 -133 / -102 -196 +137
Sports
Interaction
(Canada)		 5.46 4.22 1.51 1.79 / 1.81 1.77 / 1.98 1.55 2.40
SkyBet
(UK)		 21/4 16/5 1/2  4/5, 10/11 1/1 / 8/11 — —
Neds
(Australia)		 6.00 4.00 1.53 1.80, 1.91 1.77 / 2.05 — —
Dafabet
(India)		 6.00 4.40 1.58 1.91 / 1.90 1.81 / 2.07 1.54 2.48

Raj Singh Mahil

Raj Singh Mahil Photo

Raj Singh Mahil joined The Sporting News as Chief Editor in 2021, leading the UK editorial team. He was previously North America and Global Chief Editor at DAZN.