Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge suffered a huge blow as West Ham inflicted Mikel Arteta’s side their first home defeat of the season with a shock 1-0 victory at the Emirates.

Jarrod Bowen’s dividing header on the stroke of half-time secured West Ham a second consecutive away victory over the Gunners, with Arsenal struggling to create any meaningful chances in the absence of injured forwards Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Makeshift striker Mikel Merino was unable to repeat the impact of his decisive double at Leicester last weekend, with Bowen instead pouncing on the counter-attack to head in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross in front of a stunned Emirates crowd.

Arsenal were blunt ahead the break and they faced an uphill task to avoid defeat when Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity. The left back dragged Mohammed Kudus down on the halfway line as the forward was through on goal.

It means Arsenal miss the opportunity to cut Liverpool’s lead in the title race, and the Reds remain eight points clear ahead of their trip to Manchester City tomorrow. Arsenal visit Nottingham Forest in midweek, with Liverpool hosting Newcastle.

The match is not on TV in the UK but you can follow all the updates with our live blog below:

Arsenal vs West Ham LIVE

• FULL TIME! Arsenal suffer costly defeat to West Ham at home

• Hammers hold on as Arsenal suffer first home defeat of the season

• Liverpool keep an eight-point lead in the title race and play Man City tomorrow

• 72' RED CARD! Myles Lewis-Skelly sent off for dragging down Kudus (ARS 0-1 WHU)

• 44' GOAL! Jarrod Bowen stuns Gunners with diving header (ARS 0-1 WHU)

Arsenal FC 0 - 1 West Ham United FC

Furious Mikel Arteta accuses Arsenal of dropping standards in West Ham defeat

19:46 , Jamie Braidwood

A furious Mikel Arteta said Arsenal's bid to win the Premier League title is now out of their hands after accusing his players of failing to hit the levels required in their crushing 1-0 defeat against West Ham at the Emirates.

Jarrod Bowen scored the only goal of the game before Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off with 18 minutes remaining to leave the Gunners eight points behind Liverpool with 12 matches remaining.

Arne Slot's side could end the weekend 11 points clear if they beat Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.

And speaking about Arsenal's bid to end their 21-year wait for the title, Arteta conceded: "It's not in our hands.

"I am really, really annoyed with the things that are in our hands - which is the performance and the result - and we didn't do that as well as we possibly could.

Furious Mikel Arteta accuses Arsenal of dropping standards in West Ham defeat

Arsenal ‘deserve’ to feel pain as West Ham deal huge title race blow

18:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal “deserve” to feel the “pain” of their defeat to West Ham United as the Gunners suffered a huge blow to their Premier League title hopes.

Jarrod Bowen’s goal on the stroke of half-time was followed by Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card in the second half as Arsenal landed just two shots on target in the 1-0 defeat.

The Gunners lacked creativity and threat with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli still unavailable due to injury and Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus out for the season. Makeshift forward Mikel Merino was unable to replicate his impact in last week’s 2-0 win at Leicester and it leaves Arsenal eight points behind leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal ‘deserve’ to feel pain as West Ham deal huge title race blow

'Arsenal deserve to feel pain' after West Ham defeat

18:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Mikel Arteta on his side’s defeat to West Ham: “Today we weren't at the level required to be convincingly better than the opponent. It is painful. We need to feel the pain today, we deserve it.

"We never got a grip of the game because we're so inconsistent with the ball. We give so many balls away. We never get enough positive sequence of actions, one after the other, that could generate threat and momentum in the areas we want to conquer. That allowed the game to be the flick of a coin.

"We allowed them to run with simple giveaways. They are a dangerous team. They have the quality to deliver the moment. After that is becomes a difficult game. Then we get the red card and it's a big mountain to climb. We try to react but we didn't have specific quality moments."

'There is a long way to go', says Odegaard

18:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Martin Odegaard is refusing to rule Arsenal out of the title race.

"It's no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We're going to be ready to strike back and make sure we do better. We lost today and we're disappointed but there is a long way to go."

Arsenal’s title challenge in tatters as West Ham claim away win

18:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Ten-man Arsenal’s Premier League title bid was dealt a major blow after they suffered a torrid 1-0 defeat against West Ham at the Emirates.

Jarrod Bowen scored what would prove to be the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time before Gunners substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off with 18 minutes remaining.

Even prior to Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal – upgraded from a yellow card following a VAR intervention after the teenager denied Mohammed Kudus a clear scoring opportunity – Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker during last month’s transfer window had been brutally exposed.

Arsenal’s title challenge in tatters as West Ham claim away win

Premier League results today

17:23 , Jamie Braidwood

A day for the away teams in the Premier League

Everton 2-2 Manchester United

Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace

Ipswich 1-4 Tottenham

Southampton 0-4 Brighton

Why was Myles Lewis-Skelly sent off for Arsenal?

17:21 , Jamie Braidwood

The teenager dragged back Mohammed Kudus after losing the ball. Kudus was a long way from goal but David Raya was off his line and Arsenal had no other defenders back. A statement from the Premier League said:

“VAR checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Lewis-Skelly for a challenge on Kudus – deeming it denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity due to the goalkeeper’s position and there being no covering defender, therefore recommended an on-field review. The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card.”

FULL TIME! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

17:19 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says injuries are not an excuse as he said their performance at home to West Ham was “not good enough”.

He tells the BBC: "Big blow. The performance today wasn't good enough. Really disappointed. We lacked a bit in final third efficiency. We have to see the game back and analyse it but it wasn't good enough.

“We have players missing but we have players here who are good enough and available so we have to focus on that. It wasn't good enough in front of the goal. With the red card, it was tricky as well.”

Title race picture

17:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Liverpool

Points: 61 (played 26)

Points per game (PPG): 2.35

Remaining opponents’ PPG: 1.37

Next game: Man City (A)

Arsenal

Points: 53 (played 26)

Points per game (PPG): 2.03

Remaining opponents’ PPG: 1.38

Next game: Forest (A)

FULL TIME! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

17:08 , Jamie Braidwood

Just two shots on target for Arsenal. Merino’s double secured a late win at Leicester last weekend but the forward absences really hurt Arsenal today. With no Saka, Martinelli, Havertz and Jesus, Arsenal ran out of ideas and did not look like scoring.

FULL TIME! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

17:02 , Jamie Braidwood

There were a few boos from the home fans at full time and the Emirates empties very quickly indeed. The Arsenal players look dejected.

West Ham, though, are loving this. Graham Potter gets his fourth win at the Emirates in five games, and it’s his biggest result yet as West Ham boss.

The Hammers have had a tough run of late but their away supporters will be loving a second consecutive away win at the Emirates.

FULL TIME! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

17:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal’s first home defeat of the season. Their first in the Premier League since early November, after 15 games unbeaten.

And could that be it in the title race? Liverpool’s draw at Aston Villa was a good point after all. They stay eight points ahead, taking some pressure off their trip to Manchester City tomorrow.

FULL TIME! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:57 , Jamie Braidwood

WEST HAM HAVE DONE IT! ARSENAL LOSE AT HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON!

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:56 , Jamie Braidwood

90+8 mins: Odegaard’s cross is cleared by West Ham. Raya races back to clear before Ward-Prowse gets there!

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:55 , Jamie Braidwood

90+7 mins: Into the last minute. One last chance for Arsenal? They have the ball... and win a late corner! David Raya is going up!

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:55 , Jamie Braidwood

90+6 mins: Free kick to West Ham! Sterling chipped a cross into the box but the referee blows for a push in the box.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:53 , Jamie Braidwood

90+5 mins: West Ham with everyone behind the ball... Odegaard looks for Merino in the box... White then goes for goal but it whistles just wide!

Close... but more anguish for the hosts. Three minutes to go.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:52 , Jamie Braidwood

90+3 mins; West Ham with the chance to finish this off on the break... no! Kudus is caught and Arsenal win it back.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:50 , Jamie Braidwood

90+1 mins: Trossard was leaning back as he shot over the bar. A few empty seats around the Emirates as home fans head home early.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:48 , Jamie Braidwood

90 mins: EIGHT MINUTES of added time for Arsenal to salvage something! West Ham know a crucial win is not far away.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:48 , Jamie Braidwood

88 mins: Gabriel is sent forward into attack. A chance for Trossard, but he blasts over from 20 yards!

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:46 , Jamie Braidwood

85 mins: Partey is booked for a foul on Kudus. Arteta uses another substitute to throw on Ben White, who returns from injury to replace Timber for the closing stages.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:42 , Jamie Braidwood

83 mins: Arsenal with a chance from the free-kick but Sterling hits it low and into the wall. Odegaard then sets up Gabriel with a clever pass, but the defender scoops it over the crossbar!

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:41 , Jamie Braidwood

80 mins; An awful cross form William Saliba. Sums up Arsenal’s afternoon.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:39 , Jamie Braidwood

77 mins: Oliver Scarles is booked for catching Timber, with Wan-Bissaka then fouling Trossard. It’s been an excellent away display from West Ham today, and very unexpected.

Sterling is on for Nwaneri.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:34 , Jamie Braidwood

74 mins: Arsenal’s task remains the same but they are now down to 10 men - another red for Mikel Arteta’s side this season. Their uphill task gets a lot harder now.

RED CARD! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Myles Lewis-Skelly is off and Arsenal are down to 10 men! He was wrongly sent off at Wolves a couple of weeks ago, but this is the right decision. It’s a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:30 , Jamie Braidwood

70 mins: HANG ON! Craig Pawson is being sent to the monitor!

It was an open goal and Lewis-Skelly dragged Kudus down after he was caught on the ball.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:29 , Jamie Braidwood

69 mins: Ooooh. Lewis-Skelly drags Kudus down on the halfway line! West Ham want a red card - as Kudus was through on goal and Raya was off his line! But Lewis-Skelly escapes with the yellow card this time.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:27 , Jamie Braidwood

67 mins: Ward-Prowse’s header is headed away by Merino but Arsenal can’t launch the counter-attack. Arteta is in discussion with members of his coaching staff.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:25 , Jamie Braidwood

65 mins: Kudus was able to lead the counter-attack and he holds up play before knocking it back to Wan-Bissaka. Kudus then draws a foul from Trossard, as the Emirates groans. It buys West Ham a breather.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:23 , Jamie Braidwood

63 mins: SAVE! Trossard cuts onto his right foot and strikes low, forcing Areola into the save with his feet!

It’s one-way traffic at the moment.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:21 , Jamie Braidwood

61 mins: Nwaneri looks to pick out Trossard at the back box but West Ham scramble it behind! A better spell from Arsenal, this.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:19 , Jamie Braidwood

58 mins: Merino goes to meet Trossard’s free-kick from the left, after Wan-Bissaka caught the Belgian. Merino meets it at the near post but flicks off target. There is frustration as West Ham use up as much time as possible from the restart.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:16 , Jamie Braidwood

54 mins: Big changes from Arteta as Arsenal chase the win. Zinchenko has replaced Rice in midfield. Arsenal still yet to really create a chance in this game.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:13 , Jamie Braidwood

52 mins: Cresswell crosses looking for Bowen and almost finds him! Just ahead of the England forward on the stretch.

Here come the Arsenal changes. Rice and Calafiori make way.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:12 , Jamie Braidwood

48 mins: Two changes are coming for Arsenal with Zinchenko and Lewis-Skelly preparing to come on. Arsenal have yet to click into gear in this second half.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:09 , Jamie Braidwood

46 mins: No changes at the break for either side. The Gunners don’t have Mikel Merino to call upon now, given he’s already on the pitch. Raheem Sterling may be needed at some point.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

16:05 , Jamie Braidwood

We’re back underway at the Emirates. A big half coming up for Arsenal.

HALF TIME! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

15:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Half-time scores: Notice a trend?

Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Crystal Palace

Ipswich 1-2 Tottenham

Southampton 0-1 Brighton

HALF TIME! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

15:48 , Jamie Braidwood

Bowen with a textbook diving header, with West Ham’s gameplan working to perfection so far. A big second half coming up for Mikel Arteta’s title challenges. Just one shot on target from the Gunners so far.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

15:46 , Jamie Braidwood

45 mins: End to end from West Ham in a classic counter-punch before half time. They won here last season... could they about to repeat the trick?!

GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham (BOWEN 44')

15:44 , Jamie Braidwood

West Ham stun Arsenal just before half-time! Wan-Bissaka takes the acclaim of the West Ham players, he set off down the right and worked space to beat Calafiori. He clips in the cross and finds Bowen, who comes in unmarked to head West Ham in front!

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:44 , Jamie Braidwood

41 mins: Arsenal’s frustration is increased as Areola takes his team on the restart. Merino finds an excellent pass through to find Rice’s run, but it’s blocked by Kilman.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:41 , Jamie Braidwood

38 mins: The frustration is building from Arsenal. Odegaard pulls his shirt over his head after the Arsenal captain blasts over the bar from the edge of the box.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:35 , Jamie Braidwood

33 mins: Another half-chance for West Ham and Soucek! Bowen was fouled on the half-way line, with West Ham sending everyone long. Kudus clipped it back in from the second ball and Soucek stoops to meet the cross, but can’t keep his header down.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:33 , Jamie Braidwood

30 mins: Half an hour on the clock, and Arsenal have had just one shot on target. That was from distance from Calafiori.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:30 , Jamie Braidwood

28 mins: That West Ham attack has broken up some of Arsenal’s attacking momentum, that was building through Nwaneri. Trossard’s cross from the left drifts straight into Areola’s hands.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:28 , Jamie Braidwood

24 mins: Oooh chance for West Ham! Wan-Bissaka does well down the right after West Ham won the ball back in midfield. He skipped past Calafiori and kept on running, before pulling back to Bowen. It falls on Bowen’s right foot but he drags wide!

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:23 , Jamie Braidwood

20 mins: Merino with the snap-shot on his left foot, it goes over and wide. Still, Arsenal would be encouraged that he is getting some looks at goal.

Nwaneri, meanwhile, is the standout player on the pitch again. The 17-year-old brings down a crossfield switch with a stunning touch.

Calafiori cracks a shot straight at Areola. West Ham hanging on.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:21 , Jamie Braidwood

18 mins: A first half-chance for West Ham. The ball is swung into the box and finds the big Soucek peeling off into space. He wins his header but can’t keep it down.

A fascinating battle between Merino and Soucek today, in a clash of the two big men.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:18 , Jamie Braidwood

15 mins: Partey’s clipped cross looks for Merino but is just beyond his reach at the back post. Trossard and Calafiori, who is back in the team today, are linking up nicely on the left.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:14 , Jamie Braidwood

12 mins: Arsenal are starting to ramp up the pressure. Merino heads down to Nwaneri, but West Ham scramble away. They are camped in their own half.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:10 , Jamie Braidwood

8 mins: Nwaneri heavily involved in the early stages. He goes for a one-two with Odegaard, with the Arsenal captain going for the flick, but it doesn’t quick come off. Sharp from Arsenal.

Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:06 , Jamie Braidwood

4 mins: Not much action in the early stages at the Emirates. Raya has gone long to Merino, showing the different dimension in the Arsenal team today, while West Ham are now building their first spell of possession.

KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-0 West Ham

15:00 , Jamie Braidwood

We’re underway at the Emirates! Can Arsenal close the gap to Liverpool to five points?

Arsenal vs West Ham LIVE

14:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Mikel Arteta does not want to rely on Liverpool dropping points in the title race and has told Arsenal to go out and beat West Ham this afternoon.

“We have to do our job and it’s going to be a tough one against West Ham,” he said. “If we do that, we’ll be looking at that game on Sunday. With 13 games to go there’s still a lot to play for and you can see how difficult it is for everybody to win football matches, so we need to be there.”

Arsenal are unbeaten in 15 games in the Premier League, and are the only team not to lose at home this season, but it’s all about wins if they are to catch Liverpool.

Kick-off is coming up at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta 'surprised' by rate of Ethan Nwaneri’s development

14:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Ethan Nwaneri starred in Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Leicester last weekend and Mikel Arteta has revealed the 17-year-old’s development has surprised him this season.

“It’s faster than we all expected,” Arteta said. “What is surprising is the confidence and his decision making, especially in ball possession with the risks that he takes, the initiative that he takes and how he is in the situation when he looks at if there’s someone more open. He just needs to do it consistently every three days.”

Arsenal’s route to Champions League final revealed

14:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal will face PSV Eindhoven in the last-16 of the Champions League as their route to the final emerged after Friday’s draw.

“We’ve played against them, they’re a really good team, we know that,” Arteta said. “They have experienced it and it will be very difficult like any other Champions League result that we could’ve got or any team, so we know what we’re facing. When you’re at this stage, every team is really good and when the time comes we’ll be ready for it.”

Arsenal’s route to Champions League final revealed

Premier League title race: Who has the best fixtures - Liverpool or Arsenal?

14:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal have the chance to cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table to just five points ahead of their visit to Manchester City tomorrow. Arsenal then go to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, as Liverpool host Newcastle, in what is a crucial week in the title race.

Asked if there was any difference to battling Liverpool in the title race than Manchester City, Arteta said: “I would prefer to depend on me because when you depend on someone else, there are too many factors. But it feels different. It feels like we can generate the right momentum and convincing yourself that you can do it with the right performances is a big factor because suddenly you feel really strong.”

Liverpool’s fixtures compared to Arsenal’s as title race heats up

Arsenal vs West Ham team news and line-ups

13:54 , Jamie Braidwood

So Mikel Merino starts after his super-sub appearance off the bench against Leicester. He replaces Raheem Sterling in attack, joining Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard. The other change sees Riccardo Calafiori replace Myles Lewis-Skelly at left back.

West Ham are without Lucas Paqueta due to an ankle injury, so hand a start to 19-year-old midfielder Oliver Scarles. Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus in attack and they will look to stretch Arsenal’s defence, which remains at full strength despite injuries taking out the forward line.

Arsenal vs West Ham team news and line-ups

13:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard

West Ham XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell; Scarles, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Bowen, Kudus

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu out for rest of season after knee surgery

13:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal have confirmed that defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the rest of the season following surgery on his right knee.

Tomiyasu, 26, has featured just once this term following the injury, which he sustained prior to the campaign starting.

And the Gunners revealed the Japan international will now face an extended period on the sidelines.

Arsenal have endured a number of injury woes this season with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both out for the season, and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also currently absent.

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu out for rest of season after knee surgery

Mikel Arteta sends message to Raheem Sterling amid Arsenal struggles: ‘We really need him’

13:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Mikel Arteta has called on Raheem Sterling to rediscover his form to ensure Arsenal remain hot on Liverpool’s heels in the Premier League title race.

Injuries to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli leaves only Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Sterling as the club’s recognised forwards.

But although Nwaneri, 17, impressed in Arsenal’s win at Leicester last weekend, Sterling was withdrawn after 69 minutes with his replacement, Mikel Merino, scoring a match-winning brace.

Sterling, on loan from Chelsea, has started just four league matches and scored only once this season – in a Carabao Cup win against Bolton at the Emirates in September.

But he could be handed another start in Arsenal’s fixture against West Ham at the Emirates on Saturday.

Arteta sends message to Sterling amid Arsenal struggles: ‘We need him’

Graham Potter's record against Arsenal

12:55 , Jamie Braidwood

West Ham are not exactly in form, but Graham Potter has won three of his four games against Arsenal at the Emirates - only Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have more wins as an away manager.

And, West Ham won this fixture last season, beating Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates on 28 December.

Will Mikel Merino start against West Ham?

12:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Mikel Arteta said that he has not told Mikel Merino whether he will be starting up front today, but did not rule it out either.

“No, not to him or to other players, especially because I want the players, when they’re on the pitch, they’re feeling what they’re doing and taking initiative. I don’t want players thinking: ‘what if tomorrow I have to do certain things?’ That’s why I did it.

“If something that we haven’t done or he hasn’t done in his career to try is called an experiment, that’s it. In the end, it’s trying to fit the qualities that we have within the squad, within the players. We want to deliver and what the game requires and what the opposition requires, I would take it more into that aspect than the other one, but after it has to work. If not, it’s not the right call.”

Mikel Arteta’s ‘crazy’ decision pays off as Mikel Merino proves to be perfect substitute striker

12:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Mikel Merino promised to keep doing whatever Arsenal need after overcoming his initial shock at being thrown on as a makeshift striker to score a match-winning double at Leicester last week.

The club’s failure to bring in a striker during the January transfer window was quickly compounded by losing top scorer Kai Havertz to a season-ending hamstring injury.

Arteta took the bold decision to bring on Merino in place of Raheem Sterling in the 69th minute and the Spain midfielder responded with an impressive brace that sealed a late 2-0 triumph.

“It was crazy for me to come on the pitch in that position,” Merino told the club’s media team, “It was a really, really difficult game against a good side and the pressure was on us.

“But this game is about small details sometimes, about who’s more precise in the last metres.

“We were clinical in those last 20 minutes with me trying to make an impact in the box and with my team-mates just putting in some amazing balls. I said I’m ready to do whatever the team needs me to do. I think I showed it.”

Mikel Arteta’s ‘crazy’ decision pays off as Mikel Merino proves worth as a striker

What is the West Ham team news?

12:03 , Jamie Braidwood

West Ham’s Lucas Pacqueta has been ruled out for “weeks” after an ankle injury in training. Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Michail Antonio and Vladimir Coufal are also unavailable.

What is the Arsenal team news?

12:01 , Jamie Braidwood

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain sidelined, so Mikel Merino may start ahead of Raheem Sterling in attack.

Ben White could make his first start since November after returning from injury but Takehiro Tomiyasu is out of the rest of the season after knee surgery.

Good afternoon

12:01 , Jamie Braidwood

Arsenal can close the gap to leaders Liverpool to just five points if they can beat West Ham at the Emirates today.

Mikel Arteta’s side salvaged a late win at Leicester last time out, with Mikel Merino deployed as a make-shift striker for the Gunners.

Merino may come into the starting line-up with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all out injured.

West Ham have lost five of their last seven games as Graham Potter’s side loo to bounce back from last week’s defeat against Brentford.