Ten-man Arsenal’s Premier League title bid was dealt a major blow after they suffered a torrid 1-0 defeat against West Ham at the Emirates.
Jarrod Bowen scored what would prove to be the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time before Gunners substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off with 18 minutes remaining.
Even prior to Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal – upgraded from a yellow card following a VAR intervention after the teenager denied Mohammed Kudus a clear scoring opportunity – Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker during last month’s transfer window had been brutally exposed.
Leading from the front ©️ pic.twitter.com/DSo0WHvzRR
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 22, 2025
Makeshift forward Mikel Merino was tasked with leading the line, but the Gunners managed only two shots on target on a chastening afternoon for Mikel Arteta and his players.
The defeat, Arsenal’s first in the league in four months, leaves them eight points adrift of Liverpool, who face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Following his match-winning cameo at Leicester last weekend, Arteta turned to Merino from the start. Raheem Sterling, who has started just four league games since his loan arrival from Chelsea, was dropped to the bench.
But Arsenal, without Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus – who are both out for the season – and first-choice wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also on the treatment table, lacked any threat.
For much of the first half it was the visitors who looked more likely to score, with Bowen scuffing a shot wide following a fine run and pass by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, before Tomas Soucek headed Kudus’ cross over.
The warning signs were there for Arsenal and as they continued to fail to muster anything of note, the Hammers landed their breakthrough.
We''ve been reduced to 10 men – Myles Lewis-Skelly sent off after a VAR check.
🔴 0-1 ⚫️ (73)
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 22, 2025
The visitors nicked the ball on the edge of Arsenal’s penalty area, with Bowen playing in the impressive Wan-Bissaka on West Ham’s right-hand side.
Riccardo Calafiori did not do enough to close down his opponent and Wan-Bissaka’s pinpoint delivery was met by an unmarked Bowen who headed home.
Arteta will have been furious at the ease with which West Ham were allowed to break, and the Spaniard will have demanded a major improvement after the interval.
However, the hour mark arrived and Calafiori’s long-range effort down the throat of Alphonse Areola in the opening period remained Arsenal’s sole effort on goal.
Lewis-Skelly and Oleksandr Zinchenko were introduced with former West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, much to the delight of the visiting supporters, and Calafiori making way.
Leandro Trossard forced Areola into action as he saved the Belgian’s low drive. But despite dominating possession, Arsenal never looked like scoring.

And their afternoon was dealt a hammer blow in the 72nd minute when Lewis-Skelly hauled down Kudus on the halfway line. Referee Craig Pawson reached for a yellow card but a VAR check followed, and, after he was advised to check his pitchside monitor, Pawson upgraded the booking to a red.
Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal at Wolves last month was rightly upheld, but here he could have no complaints. Goalkeeper David Raya was well off his line and Lewis-Skelly had denied Kudus a clear scoring opportunity.
Sterling was handed 10 minutes to save both his and Arsenal’s season, but his free-kick on the edge of the area cannoned into the West Ham wall before Gabriel scooped his effort over.
Trossard fired over the crossbar in the 90th minute. Eight minutes of stoppage time followed but West Ham saw out the win – only their second of the year so far – as the home fans headed to the exit wondering whether this was the afternoon that their title quest unravelled.
[(Club America) Strength]: 1. Club America lost to Real Salt Lake through a penalty shootout in the last game, securing only one point. If the team want to advance, they have to go all out in this game, indicating strong motivation.2. Erick Sanchez scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team draw with Real Salt Lake in regular time.[(Club America) Neutral]: 1. Club Americ...
[(Fluminense (RJ)) Strength]: 1. Fluminense (RJ) are 13th in the table and are suffering a 4-game losing streak in the league. They need to take points to end their decadence, indicating strong motivation in this game.2. Everaldo Stum scored a brace in the last Copa do Brasil game, helping the team beat SC Internacional.3. Fluminense (RJ) secured a 2-1 win over SC Internacional in the last Copa do...
[(Orlando City) Strength]: 1. Martin Ojeda scored 3 goals and made an assist in the last 3 games, showing outstanding form.2. Orlando City boasted stable offense lately, scoring in 17 consecutive games in regular time.[(Orlando City) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, and this game would be their first encounter.[(Orlando City) Weakness]: 1. Orlando City lost 4-3 through a penalty shoo...
[(Yunnan Yukun) Strength]: 1. Yunnan Yukun are 9th in the Chinese Super League, performing mediocrely in the new season. They hope to take more points at home to move up, indicating strong motivation.2. Yunnan Yukun received 5 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in 8 home games, with a win rate of 62.5%.3. Yunnan Yukun won 3-1 over Shenzhen Peng City in the last home game, securing a 2-game winning streak ...
[(JEF United Ichihara Chiba) Strength]: 1. JEF United Ichihara Chiba are 2nd in the J2 League with 41 points, still being in the direct promotion zone but tied for 3rd-placed Vegalta Sendai on points. They need more points to cement their place, showing strong motivation in this home game.2. JEF United Ichihara Chiba recorded 6 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses at home this season, scoring 17 goals and ...
[(Arminia Bielefeld) Strength]: 1. Arminia Bielefeld finished at the top with 21 wins, 9 draws, and 8 losses in the 3. Liga last season, scoring 64 goals and conceding 36 in 38 league games. The team were finally promoted to the 2. Bundesliga. This is their first home game of the new season, so the team have full motivation.2. Arminia Bielefeld's central forward Julian Kania played 33 league games...
[(SV Elversberg) Strength]: 1. SV Elversberg finished 3rd in the 2. Bundesliga last season. Facing Nuremberg in the first game of the new season at home, they hope to take home advantage to start with a win, indicating strong motivation.2. SV Elversberg changed their head coach in the new season, with German Vincent Wagner taking over to lead the team to play in the 2. Bundesliga. The team signed ...
[(FC Rostov) Neutral]: 1. FC Rostov ended 8 of the last 10 competitive games with UNDERs in O/U.[(FC Rostov) Weakness]: 1. FC Rostov lost 2-0 to Spartak Moscow in the last Russian Cup game, showing poor performances.2. FC Rostov suffered a 1-0 away defeat to FC Dynamo Moscow in the last league game, losing the previous two league matches in the new season.3. FC Rostov received only 1 win, 2 draws,...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Farewell SonBreaking!! : Son confirms decision to leave Tottenham Newcastle reject 120m offer from Liverpool for Isak Rashford and Barca Raya nair Gyokeres at Arsenal FC lol Where's Isak? Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss)...

Inter star rejects Crystal Palace after £28m bidCrystal Palace's pursuit of Yann Bisseck has collapsed, with the Inter defender rejecting a move despite a hefty offer from the Premier League side.According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Palace submitted an offer of £28 million ($36m) for Inter defender Bisseck, who made 46 appearances last season. However, both the Italian club and the play...



- 1 Phil Parkinson breaks silence on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's shock bid to bring ex-Man Utd star Christian Eriksen to Wrexham
- 2 Loris Karius lifts lid on relationship with Diletta Leotta
- 3 Jack Grealish shares sweet holiday snaps as girlfriend stuns in a yellow maxi dress
- 4 Arsenal legend backs Premier League rivals to become next invincibles and take prestigious title from Gunners
- 5 Go Ahead Eagles star duo linked to Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers
- 6 Real Madrid Willing to Sell Rodrygo — But Only If Two Key Conditions Are Met
- 7 Man City boss Guardiola delivers definitive answer to Barcelona return question
- 8 Borussia Dortmund chief Kehl confirms hopes of re-signing Sancho from Man Utd
- 9 Daily Laugh - Sesko & Man Utd in a nutshell
- 10 Transfer news & rumours LIVE