Arsenal have thrown away a two-goal lead for the second straight week after dropping points at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
Premier League
Result: West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal
Date: 16 April 2023
Venue: London Stadium
Mikel Arteta made one change from the draw at Liverpool, as Kieran Tierney came in for Oleksandr Zinchenko, who missed out through injury while Eddie Nketiah was back in the match day squad.
The Gunners opened the scoring on seven minutes as the Hammers were carved open, with Gabriel Jesus turning home Ben White's low cross at the far post.
Three minutes later, the lead was doubled as Gabriel Martinelli was afforded time and space to pick out Martin Odegaard, who volleyed home from close range for his 11th league goal of the season.
It took a while for West Ham to get going and they were afforded a lifeline on 31 minutes after being awarded a penalty for Gabriel's foul on Lucas Paqueta. Said Benrahma stepped up and calmly slotted into the bottom corner.
West Ham ended the half the stronger of the two sides, but they got off to a poor start in the second as Arsenal were awarded a penalty for a handball on Michail Antonio. Bukayo Saka stepped up but sent his spot-kick wide of the upright.
Two minutes after Saka's miss, West Ham found the equaliser as Jarrod Bowen got on the end of Thilo Kehrer's ball over the top and volleyed past Aaron Ramsdale with a first-time strike.
Gunners manager Arteta looked to his bench with 20 minutes to play and threw on Leandro Trossard and Jorginho for Jesus and Thomas Partey.
The Hammer nearly took the lead in the final five minutes when Benrahma sent a cross to the far post that found Antonio, who steered his header off the top crossbar.
That proved to be the final chance of the game as the Hammers held on for a vital point, while Arsenal only sit four points above Manchester City having played a game more.
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