Arsenal 0-2 West Ham: Premier League as it happened | Premier League

I’ll leave you with Jacob Steinberg’s match report. Thanks for joining me, and Happy New Year.

Here’s Jarrod Bowen: “We knew it was going to be difficult, but we wanted to follow up the Man United result. We haven’t been consistent enough and we wanted to change that. We play Brighton in a few days, we want to go there and win as well.”

On whether the ball went out of play: “When it happened, it was a split-second … the ball was in the air, it was hard to tell. I was just trying to get the ball back to somebody!”

“Is this performance the proof that Kai Havertz is actually essential?” asks Ian C. Quite possibly, although I think Arsenal still need a more reliable goalscorer for nights like these. Ivan Toney, perhaps.

Here’s the Premier League table as it stands. It’s been a good “matchday” for Liverpool … and Manchester City.

“I thought Moyes’ West Ham might suffer a post-Rice decline, but in recent weeks they’ve been as good as I’ve seen them play, with the exception of that match against Fulham,” says Kari Tulinius.

“If they keep up this level they might well end the season in the Champions League places.” It won’t always work quite this well, but Moyes has assembled a team who can be devastating on the break.

Some post-game thoughts: “There will be more nuclear-level unhappiness from Arteta after the game,” writes Charles Antaki. “Little of it will be justified, but he’ll be at it nonetheless. Truth is, too few of the players were up to Odegaard’s level tonight. But he won’t say that.”

Full time! Arsenal 0-2 West Ham

The Gunners miss the chance to go back to the top of the table on a deeply frustrating night. Huge credit must go to West Ham, who had a clear game plan and delivered. They’re up to sixth in the table, and David Moyes has finally won at the Arsenal.

Benrahma's penalty saved by Raya!

Benrahma’s spot-kick is saved by David Raya, who goes the right way and gets both hands to the ball. Beyond some useful fantasy football points, though, it doesn’t really matter.

Penalty to West Ham!

Arsenal’s miserable night is complete, as Declan Rice slips in the penalty area and brings down Emerson as he stretches for the ball. It’s a stonewaller. Benrahma will take it …

93 mins: Kudus carries the ball downfield, as West Ham fans sing “Champions of Europe” with gusto. And their night may be about to get even better …

92 mins: Saka’s shot is deflected behind, and West Ham deal with a series of corners with little fuss.

91 mins: Reiss Nelson sends his shot a couple of feet over the bar. Gabriel Jesus gets booked to complete an unsatisfactory evening.

90 mins: Odegaard does test Areola here with a shot from the edge of the box that the keeper has to palm round the post. There’ll be five added minutes …

89 mins: Eddie Nketiah connects with an acrobatic effort, but again, it’s comfortable for Areola.

88 mins: Two minutes to go, although there will be “a significant amount” of injury time, we’re told. Arsenal corner …

87 mins: Odegaard, who has tried everything to spark his team into life, sees his shot closed down and loop into Areola’s arms.

86 mins: Soucek goes down in a heap, then quickly gets up and running again after he realises the referee isn’t interested.

85 mins: Smith-Rowe bends his shot between two West Ham defenders, but it’s easy for Areola. Some home fans are heading for the exits.

84 mins: Time is running out here – one Arsenal goal would really change things, but West Ham are holding them at arm’s length.

82 mins: Kudus wins a corner for West Ham, but nothing comes of it. Saka tries to lead a breakaway and is pulled back by Emerson; Arsenal free kick.

80 mins: Saka goes over under a challenge from Ogbonna; Michael Oliver isn’t interested, and replays suggest there was minimal contact. There’s still a fairly lengthy VAR check before play continues, though.

78 mins: Smith-Rowe almost makes an immediate impact as he lunges at Odegaard’s cross, but can’t quite connect at the far post.

76 mins: Emile Smith-Rowe is coming on, replacing Trossard.

74 mins: Odegaard again causes problems for the West Ham defence, playing in Trossard, whose shot is pushed behind by Areola.

72 mins: Nelson is booked for hauling down Soucek to stop a West Ham counterattack. From the free kick, the visitors get forward and Benrahma’s shot has to be blocked by Ben White.

70 mins: Rice’s shot from distance is charged down by Ogbonna. Arsenal are playing three at the back but Rice, Odegaard and Trossard are still stationed mostly outside the penalty area.

68 mins: Jesus is brought down between the penalty area and corner flag. Free kick, but it’s overhit by Reiss Nelson, and the mood continues to sour around the Emirates.

66 mins: An even more egregious miss from Gabriel Jesus, who sends a point-blank header over the bar! It would have been a lovely goal, Odegaard playing in White who put it on a plate for the Brazilian.

65 mins: I feel for Martinelli there, he has looked one of the more likely players to score for Arsenal. As if to illustrate my point, Jesus sends his header straight at Areola.

64 mins: Zinchenko and Martinelli are off, replaced by Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson. Time for a repeat?

63 mins: Bowen threatens to break away with Kudus in support, but he can’t find the killer pass. At the other end, Saka can’t steer his cross through a thicket of West Ham defenders.

Full time at the Amex: Brighton 4-2 Tottenham.

59 mins: Gabriel Jesus turns and sends a hopeful shot wide. Time for Arteta to look to his bench?

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