MYLES Lewis-Skelly’s second red card of 2025 appeared to put the final nail in Arsenal’s title dreams and any chances of them catching Liverpool.
The Gunners simply didn’t turn up and failed to respond to Jarrod’s Bowen’s opener on the brink of half-time.
PAJarrod Bowen gave the visitors the lead with a diving header[/caption]
Myles Lewis-Skelly was handed his second red card of the season
Mikel Arteta’s side remain eight points behind table toppers Liverpool
And Liverpool fans will breathe a sigh of relief given their recent dip in form as Arsenal remain EIGHT points behind Arne Slot’s men.
The Hammers’ wall stood firm as Arsenal registered just two shots on target before Lewis-Skelly’s last-man foul on Mohammed Kudus was upgraded to a red after ref Craig Pawson went to the monitor.
Mikel Arteta looked heartbroken to see the 18-year-old – who had only been on the pitch for 17 minutes – given his marching orders again – just weeks after he was sent off at Wolves.
That one was rescinded by the Prem a few days later, but today’s incident won’t be, as midfielder Mikel Merino looked lost as a makeshift No 9.
Here SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rates every Arsenal player from the Emirates Stadium.
DAVID RAYA – 5
Declan Rice indicated to Raya that he expected him to come off his line to deal with the cross for the goal.
Maybe he had a point but ultimately, Raya was let down by his defenders.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 6
West Ham did not offer much of a threat down their left so Timber had a reasonably comfortable game while he did try and get forward.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 6
Was ordered by Arteta to push forward more in the second half when Arsenal had possession and in the closing stages, seemed to spend more of his time in West Ham’s area.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5
Switched off for the Bowen goal but he was not the only one.
Also found the impressive Kudus tough to handle when he cut inside.
Guilty of delivering an abysmal cross late in the game when Arsenal needed a bit of quality.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 4
A poor performance. Given the nod ahead of Lewis-Skelly but badly at fault for the opening goal as he did not get close enough to Aaron Wan-Bissaka who delivered the cross to Bowen.
Was replaced after he kept losing the ball.
DECLAN RICE – 5
Not a day he will want to remember against his former club and plenty of stick from West Ham’s fans, as you would expect.
Wasted one chance before the break and failed to track Bowen for the goal.
Substituted shortly into the second half which was a surprise.
PADeclan Rice endured a torrid afternoon against his former side[/caption]
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
A sluggish performance from Partey whose passing was also poor. Lucky not to be replaced.
ETHAN NWANERI – 6
Had a fascinating battle with West Ham teenager Ollie Scaries, who was making his first Premier League start.
Nwaneri was excellent at Leicester but had less success against his fellow youngster although still had some bright moments.
But, at least he has a bit of a spark unlike some of his more experienced team-mates. The 17-year-old sparked concern after coming off injured in the final 10.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 5
Not having his best season at Arsenal.
This was the sort of game Arsenal needed their captain to deliver a moment of inspiration but he failed to do so.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 5
Not a surprise that he was not used as a false nine like that disastrous experiment against Leicester.
But he had no joy against the impressive Wan-Bissaka.
MIKEL MERINO – 5
Was the two-goal hero in his first ever appearance as a substitute striker at Leicester but had no success against West Ham’s well-drilled defence.
He looked lost.
Subs:
Zinchenko (for Rice 56 minutes) – 6
Lewis-Skelly (for Calafiori 56 minutes) – 4
Sterling (for Nwaneri 81 minutes) – N/A
White (for Saliba 87 minutes) – 5.
Subs not used: Neto, Tierney, Kiwior, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji.
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