Three positives and two negatives from Arsenal's dramatic win against West Ham

At least Arsenal fans have just two more weeks of this Premier League season to live through before the summer break.

Ahead of kick-off, the West Ham clash had been talked up as a potential title decider; it proved every bit as nerve-shredding as that moniker suggests.

The Gunners were unfortunate not to score a few goals early on when they flew out of the traps and put their hosts on the back foot. However, from minute 20 onwards, it turned into a real slugfest that they so nearly drew.

Despite much Hammers pressure, it was Leandro Trossard who broke the deadlock and appeared to have set his team up for a priceless win. Then, the title was cruelly ripped away by Callum Wilson at the death until VAR (CORRECTLY!) intervened to rule out his late, late equaliser, citing a foul on David Raya.

Positives and negatives as Arsenal clinch a dramatic Premier League win at West Ham

So, the title is still in Arsenal hands. Here are three positives and two negatives from a dramatic clash at the London Stadium.   

Positive #1: Arsenal make a fast start

For all the accusations of ‘bottling’, Arsenal started this match like a house on fire – far from showing signs of nerves.

In fact, early on it seemed like they might hit a cricket score, as happened on their past two visits to West Ham (0-6 and 2-5 respectively). Threats came from many sources, with Riccardo Calafiori twice going close and Trossard hitting the post while there was also a goal-mouth scramble that almost fell for William Saliba to finish.

Big wins might be important if this race comes down to goal difference and the Gunners tried to help their cause on that front. Sadly, it did not lead to a breakthrough and there is always the risk of being punished if you do not score when on top…

Negative #1: The Gunner left hanging on

Injuries have defined this campaign for many teams; that Ben White injury marked a clear inflection point in this match.

He came off second best after a 50/50 challenge with Crysencio Summerville – Mikel Arteta revealed it “does not look good at all” – and had to be substituted for Martin Zubimendi, with Declan Rice left to slot in at RB.

Not only did it not work, it almost had disastrous consequences. West Ham gained total control from that point and slices through the Gunners midfield with ease – Taty Castellanos forced David Raya to make a sprawling save while Summerville later fired wide.

The boss steadied things at half-time but Arsenal never regained the foothold they had held or came close to replicating their early domination. It led to a tense-nervy finish which so nearly dealt them a potential knock-out punch.

Negative #2: Declan Rice reshuffle

Titles can be won or lost via tactical tweaks; Mikel Arteta’s decision to rehouse Rice at fullback almost cost Arsenal this match.

The boss was kicked from pillar to post on social media for his decision but I, for one, can see logic in it: In the White injury, he lost someone who can make overlapping runs to help Bukayo Saka and also lost a great crosser of the ball.

Cristhian Mosquera just does not come close to offering either of those two things but Rice certainly is capable.

Of course, it had the adverse effect of seeing the Gunners get completely overrun in the middle and lose all control of the match. It was a truly intolerable outcome which Arteta had choice but to fix at the break.

He has a sympathiser in me, though it proved detrimental and imagine the reaction if Arsenal did not go on to win…

Positive #2: Leandro Trossard comes up clutch

Porto 2023/24, Spurs 2024/25 and now West Ham 2025/26: Trossard has a knack for scoring crucial goals.

On Sunday, the clock ticked past 80 minutes and it was still 0-0, with West Ham having just missed a glorious chance to take the lead (what a save, David Raya!). It looked like Arsenal were set to slip up in the title race.

Not if Trossard could help it. Credit goes to Martin Odegaard for his work in the build-up as he teed it up for the Belgian to hit the shot first time, and his deflected strike led to a priceless lead just when it mattered most.

His goal was far from pretty, yet it could prove hugely effective and it could hardly have come from a more suitable name.  

Positive #3: Edging closer to glory

No Arsenal fan will rest until this title is mathematically safe, but this match always felt like the biggest obstacle to their league hopes.

The Gunners are still in control of their own destiny thanks to this result and need just two wins from Burnley (already relegated) and Crystal Palace (already safe and with focus likely to be on the Europa Conference League final just three days after the final day) to seal a first Premier League crown in 22 years.

It might even be decided before that last London derby, if Arsenal do the business next Monday and Bournemouth beat Manchester City the following day – fans would surely be glad to have it wrapped up even if it is done in absentia at the Vitality Stadium.

Now, that long-awaited title is almost in touching distance and fans are daring to dream that they will lift it at Selhurst Park.

Let’s keep the champagne on ice.

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