Arsenal find themselves within touching distance of winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years. The Gunners last won the title in 2004 and are currently on the verge of doing so once again—provided they can win their remaining two fixtures.
However, there was a brief moment when everything looked like it was set for another heartbreak once again. Needing to escape relegation themselves, West Ham were eager to put up a fight in front of their home supporters, and they did just that for a good amount of the game until a good sequence by Arsenal saw them break the deadlock through Leandro Trossard, who fired home from inside the box.
The game looked set for a narrow Arsenal win until Callum Wilson lashed home in the final minutes after David Raya appeared to have dropped the ball in the box. West Ham’s celebrations were cut short after VAR official Darren England advised referee Chris Kavanagh to go check the pitch-side monitor for a potential foul on David Raya by video.
A lot of Arsenal fans’ hearts were in their mouths as the check took up to five minutes, but after the lengthy check, the goal was overturned, and that could yet end up as one of the biggest refereeing decisions in the Premier League this season. Away from the Gunners chasing the title, the goal was also defining for West Ham, who are fighting to escape relegation and now have a major mountain to climb after that result.
Arsenal have destiny in their hands once again
That win put Arsenal back in the driving seat once again, meaning their fate is now in their hands. Mikel Arteta’s men now hold a five-point lead over Manchester City. The Citizens do have a game in hand against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but regardless of what happens in that game, City’s maximum points possible between now and the end of the season are 83, while that of Arsenal is 85—if they win their final two games.
In what has been a dramatic season with lots of twists and turns, Arsenal now seem to be edging closer and closer to the finish line, with their remaining two fixtures at home against an already-relegated Burnley and away to Crystal Palace on the final day.
Arsenal is widely expected to win these two games, but with the Premier League, one can’t be certain for sure if there will be more twists and turns between now and the final day.