Raya saved a 90th minute penalty to spare Arsenal more misery.
English Premier League title contenders Arsenal suffered a bitter home loss to David Moyes’ spirited West Ham United as one goal in each half earned the Hammers a hard-fought 2-0 victory on Thursday night.
The Gunners started the game brightly, coming close to breaking the deadlock with some neat textbook touches inside the West Ham box but poor finishing let the hosts down.
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West Ham rose out the opening skirmishes and got a goal against a total run of play when, in the 13th minute, Tomas Soucek poked home from point blank range after Jarod Bowen controversially retrieved a ball that a lengthy VAR check allowed.
The Gunners consolidated and sought a quick reply but the initially shaky West Ham backline had got their act together and defended more resolutely although Mikel Arteta’s forward line hardly packed a punch hard enough to trouble Areola in West Ham goal.
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Bukayo Saka hit the upright with a fierce shot and Martin Odegard made a couple of feeble efforts. Gabriel Jesus also got close but West Ham were happy carry their lead into the second half.
Ten Minutes into the second half, former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos thumped in a powerful header from James Ward-Prowse corner to stretch West Ham lead.
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There was still hope for a memorable Arsenal comeback but it was not to be. West Ham could have added a third goal as Declan Rice conceded a penalty in the dying minutes with a reckless challenge but David Raya dived the right way to thwart Said Benrahma.