Arsenal played host to West Ham as they both needed the 3 points as the race for a top 4 finish intensifies. Arsenal were without Aubameyang who was stripped of the captain armband just a few days ago due to yet another disciplinary breach but Lacazette did a great job to replace him the last time out.
West Ham has been a revelation this season and what David Moyes has done with them is commendable but they succumbed to a defeat at the hands of a resurgent Arsenal after goals from Martinelli and Smith-Rowe sent Arsenal into the top 4 to push West Ham further down to 5th.
It wasn't an easy game as both teams recognized the urgency and importance of getting the 3 points. It was an intense match, a game of emotions with several shouts for fouls. Arsenal had 2 penalty shouts; one with Saka and the other with Lacazette which the referee waved off. Another appeal came for Thomas Partey just outside the box which the referee also waved off as in all situations, the Arsenal players were the ones who kicked the back foot of the West Ham players who cleverly stuck their foot ahead of them before the shot.
Fornals had a lovely chance in the 34th minute after he was found at the edge of the box and he tried to pick the top right corner of the post but his effort went wide instead. It was a game of few chances as both teams tried to find that extra edge.
Arsenal should have been ahead in the 40th minute after Saka danced his way into the box and he unselfishly picked out Dhaka inside the box whose shot was blocked off. Kieran Tierney on the other end also produced a lovely strike that struck the crossbar if not for the brilliance of former Arsenal goalkeeper; Fabianski.
Arsenal had another opportunity after Tomiyasu's ball in found Lacazette just on the line. He produced a curling effort which Fabianski saved low to his left. Martinelli tried to pounce on the rebound but he was unable to get the ball over Fabianski.
Arsenal started the second half well and got a reward for their effort 3 minutes after the restart through Martinelli's goal. Lacazette did so well to pick out Martinelli who only has to beat Fabianski with a classy low drive finish after eluding his markers with his pace.
Ramsdale came to the rescue of Arsenal after a wayward pass was pounced on by Bowen. His attempt was cleverly saved with a strong hand from Ramsdale in the 53rd minute.
Lacazette won a freekick just outside the box in the 57th minute for Arsenal and Martin Odegaard was unable to beat Fabianski with his freekick. He struck it hard and low but Fabianski was equal to it.
The game got more difficult for West Ham after Coufal's attempt on Lacazette inside the box got the attention of the referee as he awarded a penalty and also gave him a red card after giving him a yellow card for a second bookable offence. Lacazette stepped up for the penalty in the 58th minute but Fabianski denied his old side from the spot as he saved Lacazette's penalty kick.
Gabriel almost gave Arsenal that sought after 2nd goal in the 76th minute with a half volley inside the box after a bad headed clearance from West Ham but his effort went wide. Arsenal got denied again in the 79th minute after Martinelli picked out Saka inside the box and his effort was deflected for a corner kick by Diop. It was a timely intervention from the defender.
Arsenal got their deserved 2nd goal in the 87th minute after Saka stole the ball and found Smith-Rowe. Smith-Rowe had a lot to do with various options to his left but he produced a moment of magic as he struck the ball cleanly, leaving Fabianski rooted to the spot.
The game ended 2-0 in favour of Arsenal and no one can say they didn't deserve it as they knocked West Ham out of the top 4 with the victory.
Thank you for your time.
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