Leandro Trossard’s late winner moved Arsenal a step closer to the Premier League title and left West Ham United deep in relegation trouble after a dramatic finale at the London Stadium.
Arsenal had been frustrated by the struggling Hammers until Trossard, who struck the woodwork twice within seconds in the first half, broke the deadlock when his shot deflected in off Tomas Soucek with seven minutes left.
It came moments after a vital save by Arsenal keeper David Raya from Mateus Fernandes, the victory putting Arsenal five points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
West Ham thought they had equalised deep into stoppage time but Callum Wilson’s strike was ruled out for a foul on Raya after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) examination, much to the fury of the home supporters.
This may yet go down as the most consequential VAR call in Premier League history so far, such are the ramifications at both ends of the table.
It meant joy unconfined for Arsenal, but for West Ham the contrast could not be greater as they are in the relegation places, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur, having played a game more.
Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges but lost momentum when manager Mikel Arteta surprisingly moved Declan Rice to right-back after Ben White went off with a knee injury.
Rice returned to his more familiar midfield role in the second half, but West Ham gained confidence and it needed that crucial save from keeper Raya – who had earlier saved from Taty Castellanos’ header – to deny Fernandes from from point-blank range when he looked certain to score.
Trossard then made his vital intervention and Wilson’s goal was disallowed for the foul on Raya, meaning Arsenal – who have already reached the Champions League Final – close in on their first title for 22 years.
Arteta praises officials’ courage for overturning West Ham equaliser
Arsenal took a giant stride towards that elusive Premier League title after this win at West Ham United – but the nerves jangled throughout, right up until that remarkable conclusion.
The celebrations from Arsenal’s supporters were just as wild when West Ham’s stoppage time goal, which would have almost certainly denied them victory, was ruled out for a foul on Raya as he tried to collect a corner.
It was a decision that not only decided the destiny of the points here – it may also have decided the destiny of the Premier League title and condemned the Hammers to the Championship next season.
The celebrations were purer minutes earlier, when Trossard scored, but this was a win earned the hard way by the Gunners.
In the opening exchanges, their superiority was so great it looked like it would only be a matter of time before they scored.
Arteta’s puzzling decision to move Rice to right-back in place of injured White, a mistake he corrected at half-time, stopped Arsenal in their tracks.
And once again they were grateful to Raya for two superb stops from Castellanos and Fernandes to ensure they left east London with three points.
It completed a superb week for Arteta’s side after they also reached the Champions League final, where they will face Paris St-Germain on 30 May.
Lack of consistency in officiating upsetting – Espírito Santo
The sound of fury echoed around the London Stadium when Wilson’s last-gasp strike was ruled out by VAR, and then again at the final whistle.
West Ham and their supporters were nursing a sense of injustice, but the greater pain comes from the fact they are now staring relegation in the face, especially if rejuvenated Spurs win at home to Leeds United on Monday.
The Hammers were slow to start, players and supporters only enlivened when Crysencio Summerville crunched into a tackle on White that saw the defender limp out of the action.
West Ham will have other regrets, especially the late save by Raya from Fernandes. The keeper did well, but Fernandes simply had to score when unchallenged eight yards out.
There is still hope for the Hammers, who travel to Newcastle United, then face Leeds United on the final day of the season – but time is running out.
BBC Sports
