Arsenal started looking as if they would roll over the [Hammers](https://www.claretandhugh.info/you-wont-like-it-west-ham-v-arsenal-preview-team-news-predictions-line-ups/) with several chances going close in the first ten minutes: However on good save, some great defending and a bit of luck saw the Hammers weather the first storm and finish the half strongly, Castellanos coming close with a diving header well saved by Raya. The worry was that we’ve seen this before from our West Ham side who fall away in the second half.
Strangely Arteta decided to move Declan Rice to right back after an injury to Ben White – clearly not his best position and Summerville’s couple of decent runs late on in the half came after showing Rice a clean pair of heels. Surely Arteta would rejig at half time? Summarising at the break, Theo Walcott and Owen Hargreaves both agreed that moving Rice had handed the momentum to the Hammers.
Arsenal reset, taking off Calafiori, arguably their most threatening first half player, to add Mosquera at right back.
Again West Ham grew into the half with more shots on target as the game wore on. Bowen had a shot well saved by Raya and the hammers certainly weren’t going meekly. Energy levels started to drop and despite the introduction of Pablo for Taty, West Ham needed fresh legs.
**And then – drama** – Fernandes’ one two with Pablo was saved point blank by Raya – that was the Hammers’ moment. That was the game. Once moment, one chance, to the excellent Fernandes, through on goal but Raya smothered it. Brilliant play, wrong player: You’d back Bowen or Summerville to have buried it. Ironically it was West Ham’s best player today who fluffed his lines.
Five minutes later and Trossard had put Arsenal ahead.
**Nuno Espírito Santo** again delayed and delayed when his Hammers side clearly had tired legs: Waiting until the Irons went behind before bring into on Callum Wilson chasing an equaliser. The changes needed to be made ten minutes earlier to respond immediately to Arteta’s moves. The West Ham manager cut a lonely figure on the touchline. That goal means Leeds and Forest are now mathematically safe.
**And then after 96 minutes**, Wilson stepped up to volley in from 18 yards and suddenly VAR were involved – chaos. Ruled out. Disgraceful. Pablo’s hand in front of Raya. I have no words for that -which I can type without being fired. . No mention of Rice rugby tackling Mavropanos. No mention of the wrestling matches all over the penalty box. Stitched up. If that had been down the other end, that goal would have stood. You know it and I know it. Dis-gust-ing.
“_Incredibly harsh_” on West Ham said Owen Hargreaves. He’s not wrong.