Leandro Trossard proved to be Arsenal’s match-winner as the Gunners secured a narrow 1-0 victory over West Ham, although the Belgian admitted the closing moments of the contest were extremely tense and could have produced a different outcome.
The match carried major significance for both clubs, with Arsenal continuing their pursuit of the Premier League title while West Ham fought desperately to preserve their top-flight status. The pressure on both sides was evident throughout the encounter, particularly during the closing stages when the result remained uncertain until the final whistle eventually arrived.
Arsenal edge closer in title race
Following Manchester City’s draw against Everton, Arsenal are now aware that winning all their remaining matches would be enough to secure the league title. That development increased the importance of the clash against West Ham, with Mikel Arteta’s side knowing that any dropped points could damage their chances significantly.
Arsenal attempted to impose themselves from the opening stages and created pressure throughout the match, although West Ham remained organised defensively for long periods. The breakthrough eventually arrived through Trossard, whose decisive contribution ensured Arsenal remained firmly in control of their title ambitions.
West Ham thought they had found a dramatic late equaliser, but the goal was ruled out following a foul on goalkeeper David Raya. The decision sparked controversy and frustration among the home supporters, although the officials stood by the call after reviewing the incident carefully.
Trossard reflects on tense finish
As reported by Arsenal Media, Trossard acknowledged the nervous finish and the importance of remaining focused until the final whistle, stating:
“It was quite tense at the end.
“You have to go on until the last minute, and especially in those games, we knew it would be tight because we know what we’re playing for as well. But yeah, I was just so relieved that the ball went in the back of the net.”
His comments reflected the tension surrounding the match and highlighted Arsenal’s determination to continue fighting for the Premier League crown during the closing weeks of the season.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
“quite tense”…the understatement of the day😲
👍Jax, a small stature with the heart of Leo the Lion.
BB, yeah, he really showed what he’s made of yesterday, didn’t he? Even defending like Martinelli.
Yes, he did. Just doesn’t get the credit he deserves imo probably because of his mannerisms, expressions and body language that haven’t gone over well in the past. I still remember the first time Declan took a corner and Big Gabby was freed up for the goal only because Trossard was effectively blocking CB Joaquim Andersen. Unfortunately, such dedicated play can wear you down and I think that’s the biggest reason for his recent slump because the first thing that goes is precision. What a great January signing.
I’ve never been one to critique Arteta but that diabolic debacle of a display should not be allowed to go Scot free just because we won. The whole thing made me sick to my stomach and I somehow wished that westham goal was allowed.
How can a manager who knows a win is the only result he needs set up his team to play on the back foot defending for 90 minutes. The body language of the players (with the exception of Trossard and odegaard) showed they were informed to play defensive. Rice a player that loves to go forward to support the attack was playing DM and subsequently moved to right back when it seemed he was pushing forward too much. Then a zubimendi was introduced, a player that I never rated, to continue the “defensive control” ( fancy words used to cloak silly absurd tactics). It’s almost like the players were hypnotised to believe they already have a goal and they should play to protect that goal. This was our worst game all season infact , a notch above our win against Man utd and wolves at molineaux.
If we play like this against psg we are going to lose and lose woefully. Winning these games we played badly should not be seen as a tactical genius but bleeps and glitches setting us up for a big fall.
Emperor Augustus
What did you make of the first half hour which by my reckoning is one third of the match?
It’s not the first time since the game finished that you have referred to how Arteta set up the team to play. I don’t recognise your version of it. The error was not replacing White with Mosquera, but that has nothing to do with the first third which was anything but defensive. The upshot of the change was a factor in West Ham getting some hope, but to ignore the first 30 minutes is a misrepresentation imo and your remark about wishing the West Ham disallowed goal being allowed to stand is rather puzzling
SueP, some really are that desperate to prove their narrative even on the scoresheet by wishing such a thing.
We were poor Sue P admit it. It is this poor way of playing that allows a team that should be defending against us come out and play because we allow them. It’s almost like we are begging them to come at us. West ham played with 5 at the back and a low block set up this was why in the first half hourbof the game we pressured them, but this doesn’t change the fact that the arsenal team yesterday was set up to defensively control the game , so when Mikel shoved Rice to RB , we lost the momentum and that 15+ minutes that might have given us a goal. Not scoring in the first half gave westham the impetus to come at us , don’t forget the flying header by taty that raya saved, zubimendi in the middle made it worse in the second half that wqs why he was removed , odegaard came on and we scored then westham went all out because they had nothing else to lose. The team is relying too much on the defence and Raya because of the way it is set up. We were lucky. We got away with one yesterday. I mean letting VAR and pgmol decide our fate is shocking, have we not learnt anything ? These are the people that forgot to draw the offside line that cost us point a few years ago, a people that refuse to acknowledge a hand ball by Aina a few months ago, that allowed a goal for Newcastle even though Gabriel was pushed from behind after the ball had crossed the line. So many instances of them making errors yet instead of us winning convincingly enough that whatever they do won’t affect the outcome of the game , we decide to play the way we play and potentially have them decide our fate. We were lucky yesterday.
you can tell Sue the younger fans who have never seen how a title race is won .
Every Champions has a game like Sunday where you have to go away and battle and dig deep
actually takes an incredible mentality and skill set to do that
@EA
Confusing as MA’s decisions appear during the tie (yesterday) most fans wished for a win no matter how the more favorable result came about, so we’ve won.
I had backed 1-nil (safe) and 5-nil (a walkover or rout) but I never wish arsenal opponents WHU to have any parity at all with my team. What had possessed you 24hrs later to be concerned that WH’s controversial goal should be upheld? Maybe you simply despise MA don’t worry you are not alone perpetuating a bogus reality that he cannot cross the line. However most already will have put to bed this “folly.”
Its worth reminding you our manager is human (not automaton) learning to adapt and respond to different circumstances, new challenges and doing so at times on the fly. From where im sat he’s already done a darn good job of returning us to the pinnacle of domestic football success.
Quite tense?!? I’ve never known a game like it. My heart rate didn’t return to normal until this morning!!! Now I’m loving reading all the whining from WH fans and all other fan-bases!!
Suck on it! 2 games to go…. 🙏
Sue
I had to go and lie down, yesterday. Too tired to celebrate.
Today at least, I can enjoy the result if not the game except for the first 30 minutes.
I think many people will be celebrating yesterday’s result. Fans of: AFC of course; THFC; NF; LUFC; NFC; CPFC; dare I say it, MUFC.
Whiners and haters can be themselves for all that I care.
I love it, IGL. I’m absolutely buzzing today. And after everything I heard yesterday (from all the WH fans sat around me), I won’t be sorry to see them go 👋
You tell ’em Sue! One of the clearest VAR overturns outside of offsides calls made all season. I must admit it also tickles me to think about Spud fan reactions when Leandro put the ball in the net (not that they deserved it, lol).
🤣 Yes I bet they loved it, BB (kind of 😄). How can those hammers honestly say it wasn’t a foul?!?! If they hadn’t been crap all season it wouldn’t have even mattered! Bye bye enjoy the championship 👋
Yeah Sue, they have more than earned their relegation and should be ashamed given the talent I see in that squad (hey that goes for Spuds also, lol).
Damn right, BB 👍👍
Sue,
Good morning, I’ve got cramp. I’ve been behind that flipping sofa again.😂👍
LOL
🤣🤣🤣 You crack me up, Derek. Bloody sofa or is it bloody Arsenal 🤣🤣
Sue,
Both. 😂👍
🤣😂
Sue,
Two more League games to go, and the Champions League final, and then I’m selling that flipping sofa. 😂🤣👍
I can’t say you’ll get a great deal for it, Derek, the back of it will be worn out 🤣
Sue,
You’re probably right. 😉👍