West Ham 1-2 Arsenal: 4 talking points as top four race heats up

Arsenal battled their way to three more massive Premier League points on Sunday as they beat West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium.

Coming into the game there was plenty to ponder in terms of the selections, although Benjamin White missing out with a tight hamstring was not on the agenda. In his place came Rob Holding, who proved to be the Gunners’ hero on the day.

Hoping for a fast start that would pile the pressure on West Ham early doors – who weren’t as rotated as expected – instead the game went the way the hosts would have liked. Sloppiness from both teams and general sluggishness on the ball saw neither team truly threaten until Holding produced a fine block to keep Benrahma out.

With little in the way of goalmouth action for Arsenal, it’s understandable that their opener came from a set piece. Bukayo Saka whipped in an inswinging delivery and Holding rose highest to angle a fine header beyond Fabianski and into the far corner.

West Ham 1-2 Arsenal: 4 talking points as Holding and Gabriel secure vital Premier League win as Gunners keep top four bid firmly on track

Declan Rice was denied by Aaron Ramsdale shortly after when a flying save tipped his header onto the bar, although the visitors’ resistance was broken in limp fashion when Jarrod Bowen had time in the box to fire an effort into the bottom corner via the aid of a deflection.

Arsenal had to respond after the break. They did.

While the performance still lacked general composure, they got the goal they sorely needed when Martinelli reacted well in the second phase of a corner to deliver a neat cross to Gabriel at the back post. Focused on getting power and accuracy on his header, there was too much conviction for Fabianski to handle as it deflected off the goalkeeper and into the net.

It wasn’t pretty from thereon in, even if Eddie Nketiah was denied a couple of goals by fine saves, but it was enough for Arsenal to take three valuable points into next week’s visit of Leeds.

1. Arsenal Secure a Europa League Place

While that is far from the target now, this win ensures that the minimum that Arsenal can end up with this season is a Europa League place.

Boasting an insurmountable 11 point lead over West Ham in seventh, who have just three matches remaining, it means that sixth is as low as Arteta’s side can finish.

That is, of course, not the aim. However, it is not long ago that fear was creeping in of Arsenal dropping out of the European places entirely, with that torrid three-game losing streak risking the whole season being derailed.

And, in classic Arsenal style, they’ve got here the hard way.

Losing to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton, this team has since beaten Chelsea away, Manchester United at home, and West Ham away. It doesn’t make a great deal of sense, but there we are.

European football is returning to the Emirates Stadium, but which kind?

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