Arsenal secured a vital victory against West Ham United, with Leandro Trossard scoring the decisive goal just seven minutes before the final whistle. This win at the London Stadium propelled Arsenal five points ahead of Manchester City in their quest for a Premier League title, the first since 2004.

Myles Lewis-Skelly's Impact

Despite a goalless first half, Arsenal displayed confidence from the outset, largely thanks to Myles Lewis-Skelly's performance as the midfield pivot. With West Ham committing only five players to press, Arsenal effectively stretched the pitch, creating space for Lewis-Skelly to receive passes. His ability to evade pressure allowed him to connect with Ben White and subsequently deliver a vertical pass to Riccardo Calafiori, leading to one of Arsenal's best chances of the match. Lewis-Skelly's composure and incisive distribution were crucial in maintaining Arsenal's attacking rhythm during the first half.

Tactical Adjustments and Challenges

The match took a turn when Ben White had to leave the pitch due to injury, forcing Declan Rice to shift to right back and bringing Martin Zubimendi into midfield. This adjustment disrupted Arsenal's balance, and they lost their attacking initiative, with the shot count shifting from a dominant 9-0 to a more balanced 10-3 by halftime. Manager Mikel Arteta made further tactical changes, introducing Cristhian Mosquera at half-time, which allowed Rice to return to midfield and Lewis-Skelly to move to left back. Although Arsenal regained some control, the tempo of their play slowed, prompting Arteta to make another substitution in the 67th minute to reinvigorate the side.

In summary, Arsenal's strategic adjustments and key performances, particularly from Lewis-Skelly, were instrumental in overcoming West Ham and securing three crucial points in their title chase.