Arsenal’s remarkable home unbeaten run since May came to an abrupt end on Thursday, as West Ham United clinched a 2-0 victory. This significant loss for Mikel Arteta’s squad not only ended their impressive streak but also cost them a golden opportunity to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League.

West Ham’s victory was orchestrated through goals by Tomas Soucek and former Arsenal player Konstantinos Mavropanos in the 13th and 55th minutes, respectively. The visitors displayed a strategic defensive masterclass, halting Arsenal’s momentum and highlighting vulnerabilities in the Gunners’ attack. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

The result is a stark reminder of Arsenal’s recent struggles in the league, marking just one win in their last four matches. Despite enjoying a dominant position at the top for Christmas, they now find themselves in second place, trailing by two points behind Liverpool. The upcoming match against Fulham now becomes crucial for Arsenal if they aim to head into 2024 in the leading position.

West Ham’s performance could have been even more emphatic had Said Benrahma converted a penalty in the stoppage time, which was impressively saved by Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya. 

A shade of controversy surrounded the opening goal, with unclear camera angles over whether the ball was out of play before Jarrod Bowen’s assist to Soucek. This incident mirrors a similar debate from Arsenal’s November encounter with Newcastle, where the legitimacy of the ball in play was questioned for Anthony Gordon’s goal.

Injury woes hit West Ham as Lucas Paqueta, already a doubtful starter, exited early in the game due to a hamstring issue. However, his absence didn’t deter the visitors who continued to impose their game plan effectively. 

Arsenal did have a glimmer of hope when Bukayo Saka hit the post, but their attack overall lacked the usual vigor and precision. The Gunners conceded the second goal from James Ward-Prowse’s corner, which Mavropanos converted, albeit with a muted celebration against his former club.

This loss is a significant blow to Arsenal, who last faced defeat at home in mid-May against Brighton—a result that had pivotal implications for last season’s title race. For West Ham, this triumph marks a climb to the sixth position in the league standings, surpassing Manchester United.

As the season progresses, this match will be remembered as a tactical coup by West Ham, capitalizing on Arsenal’s off-day and reshaping the Premier League’s top-order dynamics. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.