Arsenal suffered a significant blow in their hopes of closing the gap on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table following their surprise defeat against West Ham.
The Gunners slipped to a 1-0 defeat against the Hammers courtesy of Jarrod Bowen’s goal shortly before half-time. The game also saw Arsenal pick up their fifth red card of the season with Myles Lewis-Skelly sent off in the second half for the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.
That reverse means that the gap to table-toppers Liverpool remains at eight points. The Reds have the chance to increase that on Sunday afternoon when they take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal will be hoping for a favour from Pep Guardiola’s men but, even so, they face an uphill battle to bridge the gap. For the national media watching, many say the loss against West Ham could be a ‘killer’ blow to Arsenal’s title hopes this season.
Here is a look at what they had to write about the race at the top of the Premier League table following the game at the Emirates Stadium;
The Guardian, Ed Aarons
So it turns out Arsenal should have signed a striker. Fourteen months after they last put a major dent in Arsenal’s title aspirations, Jarrod Bowen secured West Ham’s second successive Premier League away win over their north London rivals as Mikel Arteta’s side saw their hopes of maintaining the pressure on Liverpool evaporate…
…Yet while this was a welcome triumph for [Graham] Potter, it also laid bare the deficiencies in Arsenal’s squad caused by so many injuries to forward players that has made their task of overhauling Arne Slot’s side almost impossible. A first defeat in 15 league games – a run which had stretched back to the start of November – almost leaves them needing snookers, regardless of the fact Liverpool have to play Manchester City and Newcastle in their next two matches.
The Telegraph, Sam Dean
Days after the title race flickered back to life, West Ham arrived at the Emirates Stadium and poured a bucket of cold water over the whole thing. Arsenal had ambitions of closing their gap at the top to five points but, with no striker and precious little attacking quality, they totally failed to grasp the opportunity in their hands.
Arsenal’s supporters probably already knew they could not win the Premier League without a recognised centre-forward. It would not have felt good, though, to have that suspicion effectively confirmed by defeat here…
…But is that it for the title race? Perhaps Manchester City will have something to say about it against Liverpool. As they say, it is not over until it is over. But for Arsenal to keep pace with Arne Slot’s side would require them to find attacking solutions that were simply not there against a diligent and disciplined West Ham.
The Daily Mail, Sami Mokbel
Hope is a killer. Having watched Liverpool open the door, ever so slightly, in their title race – Arsenal inexplicably slammed it back shut in their own faces.
With the opportunity to cut Arne Slot’s side’s lead to just five points against West Ham, the Gunners blew it.
If Liverpool win at Manchester City on Sunday – they’ll open up an 11 point margin at the Premier League summit. Winning at the Etihad, even considering their current issues, is easier said than done, of course.
But even the most optimistic Arsenal fan would surely concede defeat if Liverpool triumph at City, even if they’ll have a game in hand after the final whistle sounds.
Sky Sports, Nick Wright
Arsenal’s late win at Leicester City, secured by Mikel Merino’s double, coupled with Liverpool’s subsequent 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, had raised hopes that the Gunners might yet keep this title race alive, despite injuries. Those hopes took an almighty blow with this defeat…
…Their depleted attack was of course a huge factor in the result. West Ham deserve huge credit for their excellent performance, too. But ultimately it was uncharacteristically poor defending which did for Mikel Arteta’s side. West Ham took advantage for their goal.
Arsenal’s best hope of keeping in touch with Liverpool in this period was likely to be leaning on their defence and nicking goals from set-pieces. But Jarrod Bowen’s header left them with too much to do. A draw would have been bad enough. A defeat might be terminal.
