Leandro Trossard of Arsenal celebrates scoring against West Ham(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal took a giant step forward toward the Premier League title by snatching a one-goal victory at West Ham United. It could be the game looked back on as the one which proved the difference.
The Gunners could have taken the lead inside the first ten minutes when a set piece granted Leandro Trossard a big chance, which he headed onto the post. Dinos Mavropanos, the former Arsenal man, then stopped Calafiori’s header from crossing the line at the last moment.
After injuries to Ben White and then Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Arteta’s substitutes came into focus in terms of trying to find a breakthrough. Many will question why Martin Zubimendi came on, but eventually, the Arsenal structure was fixed by Arteta in the second half.
In big moments, big players step up and Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and ultimately Trossard, alongside David Raya, were those players. But the real drama came when The Hammers thought they had equalised but VAR deemed there to be a foul on David Raya.
Here is how **football.london** rated the Arsenal player performances:
**David Raya –** Made a good save from a headed attempt to his right from Taty Castellanos. Another massive save to prevent Fernandes from scoring in the 77th minute. **9**
**Ben White –** Was forced off in the opening stages of the game with a knee injury. With Jurrien Timber also out, that is an area of weakness for the Gunners. **n/a**
**William Saliba –** An unfamiliar right-back in Rice alongside him after White went off with his injury. But looked more assured when joined by Mosquera. **8**
**Gabriel –** Forced into some early blocks and clearances under pressure, and that was his game throughout, needing to be defensively sound and was! He produced a block at the end which could prove vital. **9**
**Riccardo Calafiori –** Had a great early chance after being set up by Trossard; the shot was saved for a corner, which sparked Trossard’s opportunities. Soon after had another good chance, his header from Rice’s delivery stopped on the line by Mavropanos. Had to be replaced at the break. **7**
**Declan Rice –** Forced to play right-back after the injury suffered by Ben White, and this certainly impacted how the team combated the middle of the park. Found a great pass into the box for Saka, only to watch the control let the forward down.
What a pass again it was though to find Odegaard for the goal, the one-two move to set it up. **8**
**Myles Lewis-Skelly –** Faith was paid to the midfielder, but after Rice left the middle, the youngster did look far less comfortable partnered with Zubimendi. Moved back to left-back from half-time. **6**
**Eberechi Eze –** A quiet first half, a free-kick which could only meet the wall. Ultimately a game that passed him by for the most part. **5**
**Bukayo Saka –** Similarly to Eze, he was rather quiet in the first half, failing to get into the game. Had a shot from outside the box flash high and wide at the start of the second half.
Had the chance in the second half, played through by Rice but couldn’t control the ball. Poor game from the player who needed to step up in the big moment. **5**
**Viktor Gyokeres –** Won some important duels in the first half and was even linking up the play well. Had a headed chance from a Saka cross headed over the bar. **6**
**Leandro Trossard –** Lovely pass inside the box to Riccardo Calafiori who had the first early chance. Managed to hit the crossbar and the post from the resulting corner earned from that very chance.
The man for the big moment and what a moment it could be for Arsenal’s season. **9**
**Martin Zubimendi –** Came on early in the first half for the injured Ben White. Was replaced in the second period, to give the attack more verve. Was not great while on the field. **4**
**Cristhian Mosquera** – A needed change at the break and returned Rice to midfield. Had to adapt and match the physical battle and did just that, really good showing. **7**
**Kai Havertz –** Came on and added that little bit of extra attacking verve that was lacking in the side. **7**
**Martin Odegaard –** Not got too many assists this season, but that does not matter when popping up with one of that importance. The footwork and the vision too. **7**
**Noni Madueke –** Just added the freshness that was lacking from that right side. **6**