On paper, a trip to a West Ham side scrapping to avoid relegation looked the toughest of Arsenal‘s last three fixtures.
It was a game Arteta’s men needed to win to avoid letting City back in but they struggled to break the Hammers’ stubborn resistance.
The game was still goalless when West Ham midfielder Matheus Fernandes arrived to collect a loose ball, played a one-two with Pablo and found himself six yards out with just David Raya to beat.
Fernandes tried to beat the keeper at his near post but Raya stuck out his right leg to make a brilliant save from point-blank range and ensure the scores remained level heading into the last 10 minutes.
That Raya save looked all the more important when Leandro Trossard fired Arsenal ahead in the 83rd minute.
But the game was far from over and with time running out, West Ham piled forward in search of an equaliser.
Gabriel made a huge block to keep out Callum Wilson’s shot but the West Ham striker would get another chance from the resulting corner – smashing the ball through the bodies to score a stunning injury-time leveller.
Or so he thought.
The video assistant referee (VAR) stepped in and after a lengthy review, the goal was ruled out for a foul on Raya as Pablo had his arm across the goalkeeper’s chest and was holding his left arm.
A number of other potential infringements, including penalty shouts for fouls by Trossard and Declan Rice, were considered and waved away meaning that while West Ham – and likely Manchester City – fumed, Arsenal clung on.
