No matter who wins this Premier League title, it won’t come without drama—or controversy. Right down to the last minute of the final match. Pep Guardiola’s historic “come on you irons” rallying cry for Manchester City was of little use. What echoed louder across East London was “Leo, Leo, Leo”—referring to Leandro Trossard. The Arsenal hero’s 82nd-minute goal against West Ham could well secure a league title, the first for the Gunners in 22 years. The Belgian’s strike put Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear of the Manchester club with two games remaining (three for City), but the credit belongs equally to David Raya—and the VAR.
Two stunning saves from the Spanish goalkeeper, whose case for a starting spot with Spain’s national team this summer couldn’t be stronger, and a decisive intervention by video technology on the game’s final play handed half the Premier League to the North London side. They also made Nuno Espírito Santo’s survival in England’s top flight look far more precarious.
Callum Wilson’s 95th-minute strike had put Manchester City back in control of their own destiny for the title. But a foul on Raya—the kind seen countless times this season but rarely penalized, much to the dismay of the Hammers and City faithful—restored the party to the visiting section of the London Stadium and left the home crowd in despair. A Tottenham win tomorrow would leave West Ham four points from safety. The only blemishes for Arsenal were Ben White’s injury and the “Zubimendi case,” something brewing with the Basque midfielder.
From Hermansen to Raya
For the third straight match, Mikel Arteta named an unchanged lineup. That meant Martín Zubimendi remained on the bench for the third consecutive game. But this time, the initial plan lasted far less—barely half an hour, until Ben White’s injury. The English full-back limped off the pitch in tears, aided by the medical staff, forcing Arteta to bring on Zubimendi. That injury could prove costly for Arsenal ahead of the Champions League final and rather “beneficial” for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s World Cup hopes.
Just after White’s injury, Arsenal’s performance collapsed. The Gunners cooled off, mirroring the fading afternoon at the London Stadium—despite a strong start. Trossard nearly opened the scoring from a corner, twice heading at goal. One was saved by Hermansen, the other hit the crossbar.
If Arteta’s side were frustrated by Hermansen, Nuno Espírito Santo had equal reason to rue David Raya’s spectacular save to deny the Hammers a 1-0 lead. On the final play of the first half, the Spanish international—Premier League Golden Glove winner for a third straight season—soared to palm away Taty Castellanos’ header. Another emphatic reminder of why he should start for La Roja at the World Cup.
‘VARsenal’
West Ham’s surge late in the first half was no accident. The Hammers stepped forward, and the Gunners took a significant step back. Fatigue and mental pressure weighed heavily on Arsenal.
