West Ham upset ends Arsenal’s unbeaten run and dents title challenge | OneFootball

Arsenal fans will be asking themselves the same question over and over: how did they let this happen?

For the second season running, West Ham United walked into the Emirates Stadium and left with three points, dealing another hammer blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations. Jarrod Bowen’s goal just before half-time was enough to sink Mikel Arteta’s side, who now find themselves needing favours elsewhere to stay in the race.

More frustrating than the result itself was the manner of the defeat. Arsenal dominated possession but lacked any real cutting edge in the final third, an issue that has plagued them for weeks. The absence of a clinical striker was glaring, with Mikel Merino once again tasked with playing as a makeshift forward.

Arteta has insisted the team must take collective responsibility for their shortcomings, but the reality is that the club failed to address an obvious weakness in the January window. Arsenal needed a proven goalscorer to provide competition for Gabriel Jesus, yet they entered the defining months of the season relying on converted midfielders to lead the attack.

As the frustration grew, the cracks widened. Substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off, adding to the chaos of an already disjointed performance. Declan Rice, once adored by West Ham fans, was taunted by the visiting supporters as he trudged off the pitch after being substituted. The evening quickly unravelled into the kind of night Arsenal simply could not afford.

The bigger concern now is what this means for the title race. Before the match, Arsenal had built momentum with a 14-game unbeaten run in the league, but this result leaves them facing an uphill battle. Liverpool still have to play Manchester City, but Arsenal needed to keep pace to capitalise on any slip-ups. Instead, they handed their rivals breathing room.

Arteta’s post-match mood was telling. The anger, the frustration, the disappointment — it all pointed to a manager who knew his side had blown a golden opportunity. He admitted Arsenal were well below the standard required to challenge for the title, and that reality will sting even more if Liverpool extend their lead at the top.

With time running out, Arsenal must respond immediately. The challenge now is not just to keep winning, but to hope their rivals falter. Otherwise, another promising campaign will end in bitter disappointment.