After 85 minutes of parity, Arsenal took the lead through Leandro Trossard as it looked like Mikel Arteta’s side were well on their way to another crucial win.
But West Ham were able to force an equaliser after managing to get the ball back in the Arsenal box following a corner routine, and January signing Pablo smashed it over the line with Declan Rice desperately trying to block it.
After a lengthy VAR check, referee Chris Kavanagh was instructed to take a look at the screen before ruling on Jean-Clair Todibo.
Analysis:
With huge implications for both sides at opposite ends of the Premier League table, it was Arsenal who looked the more likely in the opening exchanges.
Following a wave of Arsenal pressure, Leandro Trossard found space at the back post from Declan Rice’s dangerous corner before the Belgian crashed a header against the crossbar, doing the same just moments later. Replays showed that West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen tipped the Belgian’s first effort on to the upright.
The chance to take an early lead sparked the Gunners into life. There were passes in and out of the midfield three which led to space for Calafiori to strike at goal. The Italian had his head in his hands as his strike sailed agonisingly wide of the goalframe.
Arsenal mustered 8 shots from the opening 16 minutes of the contest, as Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Calafiori all went close without really troubling Hermansen. The chances were coming in abundance for Arteta’s side, but a lack of killer instinct kept the scores level when the Gunners may have been out of sight on a different day.
Ben White was then withdrawn due to a suspected knee injury – similar to the issue that hampered the first half of the defender’s season. Arsenal’s second most used outfield player this term, Martin Zubimendi, came on to replace the England right-back, forcing Declan Rice to take up the unfamiliar position.
After the Hammers settled, Arsenal started to lose their duels. Riccardo Calafiori was beaten in the air by Aaron Wan-Bissaka before the former Manchester United man stormed down the line and hooked a perfect cross for Taty Castellanos, whose diving header forced an outstanding David Raya save.
There were palpable signs of encouragement towards the end of the first half for the Hammers, who registered their first shot on target with that Castellanos effort.
As the players emerged from the tunnel for the second half, Cristhian Mosquera was stripped and ready to replace Calafiori, meaning Rice went back to his more familiar midfield role.
With the contest finely poised at 0-0 and Arsenal flattering to deceive in attack, Arteta moved to replace the ineffective Eze with Odegaard from the bench.
But the Gunners continued to labour. Havertz came on to replace Zubimendi to add a different dynamic to the Arsenal front line, but West Ham bit back immediately with a great chance when Mateus Fernandes combined well with Tomas Soucek before David Raya made himself big to deny the Portugal midfielder.
Up the other end, substitute Noni Madueke cut the ball back across the box from the byline, and Odegaard found Havertz with a wonderful through ball which Havertz failed to make the most of.
But the Arsenal captain was determined to make an impact and created the opening goal for his team as he danced into the West Ham box before cutting it back for Leandro Trossard, who curled it in to give the Gunners an invaluable lead.
The vibrations of the delirious travelling Arsenal fans reverberated through the London Stadium. Trossard’s goal may just be the difference between the Gunners tasting Premier League glory and not this season.
But preceding the final whistle, the most incredible drama began to unfold.
A West Ham corner came into the box and found Callum Wilson at the back post, whose shot came back out to fellow Hammers substitute Pablo. The Spaniard fired a powerful strike back towards goal that evaded a sea of Arsenal bodies before flying over the line, much to the frustration of Declan Rice, who had attempted to block the shot.
Referee Chris Kavanagh put his finger to his ear instantly to signal the intervention of VAR. After a lengthy check, replays showed Jean-Clair Todibo to have blocked David Raya, who had attempted to claim the corner.
With a chorus of boos reverberating around the stadium, Kavanagh signalled that the decision had been overturned to spare Arsenal a damaging late blow in the title race.
As Kavanagh blew the final whistle, the sense of relief from Arteta and the Arsenal players was almost tangible. The Premier League title is now within touching distance, whilst it looks more and more likely that West Ham will be playing Championship football next season.
Premier League glory is now as close as it has ever been for Arteta. Two more games, two more wins, and the crown is theirs.
Starting with Burnley in eight days' time, the Gunners are finally on the precipice of success.
West Ham: Hermansen (GK), Wan-Bissaka, Disasi (Wilson 85), Mavropanos, Todibo, Malick Diouf, Soucek, Fernandes, Bowen (C), Summerville, Castellanos (Pablo 67)
Unused subs: Areola (GK), Walker-Peters, Kilman, Magassa, Scarles, Potts, Kante
Arsenal: Raya (GK), White (Zubimendi 27, Havertz 67), Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori (Mosquera 46), Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Eze (Odegaard 67), Saka (C) (Madueke 80), Trossard, Gyokeres
Unused subs: Arrizabalaga (GK), Hincapie, Martinelli, Dowman