Hours after dropping from the highest 4 following Tottenham’s win over Leicester, Arsenal regained their spot after edging West Ham 2-1 in a tightly contested London derby on the London Stadium on Sunday night.
The Gunners began the day in fourth, however Spurs leapfrogged them because of a 3-1 win over Leicester Metropolis earlier within the day.
Mikel Arteta’s outfit knew they wanted a win to maintain their hopes of taking part in Champions League soccer alive, they usually did precisely that, because of objectives in every half from Rob Holding and Gabriel.
The match obtained off to a gradual begin with no clear possibilities from either side within the opening half an hour in what was a balanced affair.
Eddie Nketiah got here near giving the Gunners the lead within the thirty eighth minute after making a near-perfect solo run, however his effort was nicely saved out by Lukasz Fabianski with the ball rolling out for a nook kick.
The Gunners nonetheless scored from the ensuing nook as Holding rose highest to go dwelling having shaken off his marker.
West Ham virtually equalised two minutes later when Declan Rice rose highest to satisfy a well-taken nook, however his effort in the direction of the underside of the crossbar was brilliantly saved out by Aaron Ramsdale.
It didn’t take lengthy although for a second aim of the match, and it belonged to the hosts as they drew stage with a incredible group aim.
Jarrod Bowen was let out within the space by Vladimir Coufal and he made no mistake with a stunning end into the underside left nook.
Arsenal got here again for the second half trying sharper and harmful, and virtually took the lead seven minutes in when Saka picked up the ball, dribbled to the sting of the penalty space, and unleashed an excellent shot to the underside proper nook, however was thwarted by an excellent save from Fabianski.
Simply earlier than the hour mark, the Gunners obtained their second aim of the match when Gabriel Martinelli launched a fantastically lofted cross into the field, the place Gabriel properly made contact with the ball, steering it dwelling past the keeper.
Either side had quite a lot of late possibilities so as to add to their respective tallies, however it didn’t occur because the match ended 2-1 in favour of the guests.
The Gunners at the moment are fourth, three factors behind Chelsea, who misplaced 1-0 to Everton earlier within the day.
