Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions took a massive hit following a devastating 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.
Graham Potter’s resilient Hammers clinched victory through Jarrod Bowen’s first-half strike, leaving Mikel Arteta’s men struggling to find a response.
The Gunners’ attacking woes were evident as they failed to seriously test West Ham’s goalkeeper. Adding to their misery, Arsenal ended the match with ten men after Myles Lewis-Skelly saw red for a reckless challenge on Mohammed Kudus.
This setback leaves Arsenal trailing Liverpool by eight points, with the Reds gearing up for a crucial clash against Manchester City.
Despite being title contenders for the past three seasons, Arsenal now face an uphill battle to avoid falling short once again.
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Michael Owen’s Stark Warning for Arsenal
Former England striker Michael Owen believes Arsenal must win all 12 of their remaining league fixtures to have any hope of catching Liverpool. Speaking on Premier League Productions, Owen emphasized the daunting task ahead for the Gunners.
“You’re going for a title, and Liverpool have stumbled recently,” Owen said. “But you’re at home against West Ham with a good team out there, and they still couldn’t find a way through.
The West Ham goalkeeper was hardly tested. It’s disappointing for Arsenal fans, and now they need a lot of help from other teams.”
Owen praised Liverpool’s exceptional season, acknowledging that they deserve their spot at the top of the table. He added,
“Liverpool need 29 points from 26 games. It’s not a banker, but that’s assuming Arsenal go unbeaten—and that’s the hard part because they’re struggling for firepower.”
Ian Wright: ‘A Little Bit Down’ Over Arsenal’s Performance
Arsenal legend Ian Wright echoed Owen’s concerns, admitting he felt “down” watching his former club struggle to break down a disciplined West Ham defense.
The Gunners’ decision not to bolster their squad during the January transfer window has backfired, particularly with injuries depleting their attacking options.
“It was always going to be tough with the forwards missing,” Wright said. “There wasn’t enough creativity. We completely ran out of ideas. We haven’t got the firepower at the moment.”
Must-Win Clash Against Nottingham Forest
Arsenal now face a must-win match on Wednesday night against Nottingham Forest, a team with its own ambitions of securing Champions League football.
Anything less than a victory could see Arsenal’s title hopes evaporate entirely, with Liverpool poised to take full advantage.
For the Gunners, the path to Premier League glory is narrow but not yet closed. Can they find the consistency and firepower needed to mount an improbable comeback? Only time will tell.
