English Premier League leaders Arsenal, today hurt their chances of taking the title after they missed a penalty and threw away a two-goal lead as they drew at West Ham.
Gabriel Jesus’ close-range strike and Martin Odegaard’s volley put the visitors up 2-0 inside the first 10 minutes at London Stadium, and they appeared to be on their way to triumph.
But, as they did in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool, Arteta’s side failed to hold on to their lead and surrendered crucial points in their title race with Manchester City.
After Gabriel pulled down Lucas Paqueta, Said Benrahma’s penalty put the Hammers back in the game, before Arsenal won their own penalty after Michail Antonio’s handball, but Bukayo Saka fired wide.
This proved costly as the hosts scored less than three minutes later on a brilliant volley from Thilo Kehrer’s lofted feed by Jarrod Bowen.
West Ham, who are currently 15th in the table but four points above the relegation zone, had a chance to win when Antonio’s header rebounded against the crossbar in a frenzied end.
Arsenal started the weekend six points ahead of City, but that gap has now shrunk to four after Pep Guardiola’s team defeated Leicester 3-1 at home on Saturday.
Arsenal have failed to win back-to-back Premier League games despite having a two-goal lead in each of them for the first time, becoming only the sixth team in the competition to do it.
West Ham came from two goals down to avoid defeat in a Premier League match for the first time since a 3-3 draw at Tottenham in October 2020, and for the first time at home since a 4-3 triumph over Huddersfield in March 2019.
For the first time since February 2011 against Newcastle United, Arsenal went 2-0 ahead inside the first 10 minutes of a Premier League away encounter.
The Gunners have seven games remaining, including a home game against Southampton on Friday, before City, who have a game in hand, host Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 26.
