Leandro Trossard’s late strike and David Raya’s heroics secured a vital victory for the Gunners, surviving VAR drama and a resilient West Ham to maintain their momentum.
Arsenal beat West Ham 1-0 at the London Stadium to keep control of their Premier League title push, but Mikel Arteta’s side were made to survive a chaotic finish after Leandro Trossard’s late goal was followed by a West Ham equaliser that was eventually ruled out by VAR.
The visitors began brightly. Bukayo Saka’s early cross-shot was held by Mads Hermansen before Riccardo Calafiori went close in the ninth minute after being released by Trossard. From the resulting corner, Declan Rice’s delivery found Trossard, whose header was pushed on to the bar by Hermansen. Trossard reacted first but headed the follow-up against the post.
Arsenal continued to threaten from set-pieces. In the 22nd minute, Rice’s inswinging free-kick was met by Calafiori, but Konstantinos Mavropanos produced an important clearance near his own goal line to keep West Ham level.
The game then shifted with Ben White’s injury. The Arsenal defender needed treatment after a challenge with Crysencio Summerville and was unable to continue. Arteta turned to Martin Zubimendi in the 28th minute, moving Rice to right-back rather than bringing on Cristhian Mosquera, who was among the substitutes.
West Ham improved before half-time. Summerville was booked for a late challenge on Gabriel, while Taty Castellanos also went into the book after fouling Zubimendi. The hosts then created their best chance of the half when Aaron Wan-Bissaka crossed for Castellanos, whose diving header forced David Raya into a strong save. Arsenal reached the interval at 0-0, but with less control than they had shown in the opening 20 minutes.
Arteta adjusted at the break. Mosquera replaced Calafiori, Rice returned to midfield and Myles Lewis-Skelly moved to left-back. West Ham still carried a threat after the restart, with Jarrod Bowen testing Raya from distance and Summerville continuing to run at Arsenal’s defence.
The next major Arsenal changes came in the 68th minute, when Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz replaced Eberechi Eze and Zubimendi. A minute later, Gabriel saw a close-range effort cleared off the line by Mavropanos after Rice’s free-kick caused another scramble in the West Ham box.
Raya then made the game’s decisive save. In the 78th minute, Mateus Fernandes exchanged passes with Pablo and broke through on goal, but the Arsenal goalkeeper stayed upright and blocked his finish from close range.
Arsenal punished West Ham in the 83rd minute. Odegaard combined with Rice near the edge of the area before laying the ball back to Trossard, whose first-time shot took a deflection off Tomas Soucek and beat Hermansen at the near post.
West Ham sent on Callum Wilson in the 85th minute and pushed for an equaliser. William Saliba was booked late on, Trossard also went into the book for delaying a free-kick, and six minutes of stoppage time were signalled.
The drama peaked in added time. Wilson first dragged a chance wide, then appeared to have made it 1-1 in the 95th minute after Raya spilled a corner under pressure from Pablo and the ball broke for the striker to finish from close range. Arsenal immediately appealed for a foul on Raya. After a lengthy VAR check and an on-field review, referee Chris Kavanagh ruled the goal out for Pablo’s challenge on the Arsenal goalkeeper, holding his arms down so the Spaniard couldn't make the save.
That decision preserved a narrow but vital Arsenal win. Trossard’s goal kept Arteta’s side on course in the title race, but White’s injury and the late VAR escape ensured this was a victory secured under pressure rather than control.
The three points mattered more than the manner of the performance for Arsenal. Arteta’s side remain firmly in the Premier League title race, with the pressue back on Manchester City. The final weeks of the season will demand greater control, sharper game management and better fortune with injuries if they are to turn narrow victories like this into a sustained push at the top.