Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League table has been eaten away at over the past week or so as back-to-back 2-2 draws against both Liverpool and West Ham have halted the side's progress. While the clash with the Reds was always slated to cause problems, the result with the Hammers has left a different problem for those expecting victory.
A quick start saw the Gunners race into a 2-0 lead, but Said Benrahma's goal from the penalty spot was then followed up by a Jarrod Bowen strike to see that advantage dissipate. It now leaves the north London side just four points clear of their rivals Manchester City, with a head-to-head and games in hand to be sorted.
"Started extremely well again. Dominated the game, dominated the pitch and scored two beautiful goals," Mikel Arteta said in reflection of the game. "After that we made a huge mistake to stop playing with the same purpose to score the third and fourth one and just thinking we could play around them and maintain the result and just looked too easy. At that moment we gave them hope. Credit to West Ham, they took it."
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With the league as finely balanced as it is, it is still in both teams' hands to go on and win the title this season, with next week proving a pivotal moment when they go head-to-head. However, there's another factor at play and it's the games in hand that City have going into the final run-in.
Pep Guardiola holds one game in hand over Arsenal, while their involvement in the FA Cup this weekend against Sheffield United means there will be an extra match to play after the Gunners face Southampton on Friday. Many will view this as an opportunity to gain six points, however the key thing for Arteta, should they edge past the Saints, is that his team will have the points on the board.
That's one of the most important factors as no result is guaranteed and City could well drop points in one of those ties they have to play. It should be viewed as a boost for the side, who can take a step closer to the Premier League title while their rivals have to wait.
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