Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres

Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, Hincapie, Odegaard, Martinelli, Madueke, Havertz, Dowman, Zubimendi

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points after squeezing past West Ham 1-0 at the London Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a late strike from Leandro Trossard.

Mikel Arteta named an unchanged side for the third successive game with Bukayo Saka deemed fit enough to start alongside Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres, and Myles Lewis-Skelly continuing in midfield.

Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz helped make up a strong Gunners bench, alongside Piero Hincapie, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.

FIRST HALF

It was a strong start from Arsenal who took control of possession and found themselves in behind after Leandro Trossard played Riccardo Calafiori through with the outside of his foot, but he couldn’t decide between shooting or cutting the ball back and Mavropanos got across just in time to intercept.

From the resulting corner, Trossard found himself unmarked at the back post and drew a sharp save from Hermansen, before hitting the post with another header after some penalty box pinball as Gyokeres and Eze were both denied in quick succession – with West Ham desperately throwing bodies in the way of everything.

The Gunners were already dominant and and after a lovely, free-flowing move with Eze and Gyokeres both involved, Calafiori fizzed one over from the edge of the box with Hermansen scrambling across his goal.

After 13 minutes, Arsenal had already registered seven shots (to West Ham’s zero) and the opening goal felt like a matter of time with the hosts dropping deeper with every attack.

There was another big chance for Arteta’s men after Declan Rice whipped in a perfect free kick from the left hand side, with Calafiori rising highest and flicking a header towards goal that looked destined for the far post; but Mavropanos was there again to block on the line.

Unfortunately for Arsenal they were forced into an early change after Ben White came off worse in a collision with Summerville, and was unable to continue with what looked like a serious knee problem.

After a long discussion with his coaching staff, Arteta opted to bring on Martin Zubimendi instead of the more ‘natural’ defensive option in Cristhian Mosquera. That change moved Rice to right back with Zubimendi coming into midfield, leaving Lewis-Skelly to essentially anchor midfield on his own.

But that tactical switch seemed to disrupt Arsenal’s balance and handed West Ham further encouragement in midfield – encouragement that wasn’t there previously – and they were starting to win some second balls to unsettle the visitors.

Just before half time, David Raya was forced into an acrobatic save after Taty Castellanos did well to get across William Saliba and head towards goal but the Spaniard was alert to push wide.

The Gunners were totally dominant early on and probably should’ve been ahead, but you always leave the door open when you don’t take your early chances. Before White’s injury, Arsenal had nine shots to West Ham’s zero. Since the change, Arsenal had one shot to West Ham’s three – and Arteta was probably being forced into another switch.

SECOND HALF

Arteta did make the halftime change with Mosquera replacing Calafiori, which put Rice back into the middle alongside Zubimendi and Lewis-Skelly out to left back.

The second half started with Bowen firing a tame effort goal which Raya handled easily, before Saka cut inside but blazed an effort miles over. Moments later, Saka had another shot from a similar area which was also hit over.

With 25 minutes to play, Arteta made a double change – a big throw of the dice – with Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz replacing Zubimendi and Eze in their pursuit of a goal.

After another Rice set piece, there was more penalty box drama with West Ham putting bodies on the line and there were big shouts for a handball when Pablo handled inside the box but those claims were waved away, before Mavropanos was well placed to clear yet another effort away from goal.

The Gunners were becoming increasingly desperate and were struggling to sustain any periods of pressure, with West Ham coming back into the game again and Raya was needed at his best to make an unbelievable point blank save from Fernandes to keep the score level.

After a smart one-two with Pablo, the Portuguese midfielder found himself through on goal but the Spaniard was out sharply to stop him with a crucial right leg.

With the clock ticking down, each Arsenal attack was pushed forward with more weight, more jeopardy and they eventually broke the deadlock with seven minutes remaining through Trossard – whose knack for scoring important goals came up clutch again.

Trossard may have scored the goal, but it was created by Odegaard who did well to pick up the ball in a dangerous area, play a one-two with Rice and cut the ball back for the Belgian whose shot took a nick off Mavropanos and past Hermansen in goal. 0-1.

It was a huge moment for Arteta’s men who celebrated as if a thousand kilos had been taken off their backs, sparking incredible scenes on the touchline and in the away end.

But things are never done the easy way with this team, and with six minutes of injury time added on, West Ham began to throw everything at a late equaliser with long balls, crosses and everything else going straight into the Arsenal box before Gabriel made a huge defensive block to deny Wilson from close range.

However, from the resulting corner, a scramble in the box led to the hosts equalising when Wilson capitalised on a bouncing ball and rifled an effort into the net (despite a desperate attempt from Havertz to clear off the line). West Ham celebrated but Arsenal were adamant there had been a foul in the lead up to the goal, with VAR checking the video immediately.

Replays showed that Raya was being fouled by two different West Ham players, with Pablo grabbing his left arm – preventing him from punching the ball – and Todibo pulling his shirt. After an agonising wait, referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the monitor and ruled out the goal after several replays to the delight of Arsenal, and frustration of everyone else in the stadium.

West Ham were furious but continued to launch crosses and long balls into the Gunners box which they dealt with before Kavanagh blew his whistle after THIRTEEN MINUTES, sparking wild celebrations as the late decision was met with a chorus of boos.

A big three points which puts Arsenal five points clear, with heart tremors and nausea likely felt by millions across the world. It’s Burnley up next and for now – Come on you Palace.