Arsenal were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw against relegation-threatened West Ham, having secured an early 2-0 lead on Sunday.
It ends in a draw in east London pic.twitter.com/czLc0zw2Ey
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 16, 2023
The Gunners looked in full control in the opening stages as the title contenders blitzed two goals in the opening 10 minutes through Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal fairy-tale start was cut short when they conceded a cheap penalty in the 33rd minute and the deficit was reduced to 2-1 with cold-blooded strike from West Ham’s Said Benrahma.
Arsenal had a golden opportunity to regain their two-goal lead early on in the second half when the ball hit Michail Antonio raised arm inside the penalty box and the away team were awarded with a 12-yard kick.
Unfortunately for them, Bukayo Saka, who had an average game for his incredible standards did not held his nerve and sent the ball wide from Fabianski goal.
That was the boost West Ham needed as they immediately regrouped for an attack an only 2 minutes later found an equalizer with an exceptional strike from Jarrod Bowen.
The East London team even had a chance of a full comeback as they hit the post in the dying moments.
The draw is yet another setback to Arsenal, who throw away a 2-goal lead in a second consecutive weekend and are now 4 points clear of Manchester City with the Citizen having a game in hand.
All that adds to the drama of the highly expected clash between the two team on April 26, which promises to be a title decider.