Arsenal missed the opportunity to reduce Liverpool's lead over the Premier League summit because they were reduced to 10 men and dropped in a shock 1-0 defeat at home in West Ham.
After Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday, Arsenal had the opportunity to go five points behind the Reds, who visit Manchester City on Sunday.
The Mikel Arteta team, however, struggled to make the chances against a well-drilled West Ham defense in the Emirates Stadium, after he had deployed Mikel Merino as an improvised striker after his match winning brace in Leicester City last week.
Their sloppy display was punished when Jarrod Bowen nodded Aaron Wan-Bissaka just before the break, after West Ham wasted three half chances.
The hope of attacking options was further dented when replacement Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent in the 73rd minute, after he had chopped Mohammed Kudus with a last man's challenge.
MyLes Lewis-Skelly is from 18 years old, 121 days old, is the youngest player in the Premier League history who is broadcast more than once.
His red against wolves was withdrawn; This will probably not be … Pic.twitter.com/6BTZPZSTB4
– Opta Analyst (@Optaanalyst) 22 February 2025
Ben White went close to a final Gasp-Leveler, but West Ham held.
They remain 16th, 13 points free from the relegation zone, while Arsenal could find 11 points behind Liverpool towards the end of the weekend.
Data Debrief: Potter works more magic against toothless arsenal
Graham Potter switched to a 3-5-2 system for Saturday's game and was rewarded with a determined defensive performance that limited Arsenal to just two shots on goal.
The former boss of Brighton and Chelsea has now won four of his five games against Arsenal in the Emirates, with only Pep Guardiola (Acht) and Jurgen Klopp (six) with more victories there as a visiting manager.
Arsenal had won 6-0 and 5-2 in their previous two league games against West Ham, but their 20 attempts were only 1.23 expected goals (XG) to the 1.2 of the visitors (of only five shots).
Their hope for a comeback was interrupted when Lewis-Skelly received his second Premier League Red Card and the youngest player in the competition history was broadcast more than once (18 years, 121 days).
His first red – received against Wolves last month – was withdrawn on appeal, but he could not have any complaints here after Scything Kudus down as the last man.
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