It was all or nothing in this all London-fixture between Arsenal and West Ham.

Arsenal need to keep accumulating points in order to hold their destiny in their hands. 

West Ham need to climb out of the drop zone and put some distance between the Nuno Espiroto Santo – coached side and Tottenham who play Leeds tomorrow.

Arsenal has had a fantastic season and one would have to be hard-hearted not to want them to do the double –  beating PSG and winning the Champions League victory as well as hoisting aloft the EPL trophy. It’s about time Arsenal Coach Mikel Arteta savours the winner’s circle after coming so close for a number of years.

This was a cagey game and Wrest Ham gave no quarter. The fluidity of West Ham’s football today did no justice to their EPL standing and the relegation dog fight it finds itself in. West Ham even had couple of chances to take the lead.

When the game got to the three-quarter mark, it appeared that West Ham would put a dent in Arsenal’s ambition and walk away with a well-earned point.

However, in the 70th minute, Mates Fernandes only had to get past David Raya to cause a major upset and boost West Ham’s chances of avoiding relegation, but the Arsenal keeper was able to stick a foot out and save what looked like a certain goal.

Arsenal took the lead in the 82nd minute with a Leandro Trossard shot, and Mikel Arteta could breathe a sigh of relief. All the Gunners had to do was make it to full-time, and the day would be theirs at the London Stadium.

Come stoppage time, Arsenal thought it was all over…. But not so fast.

David Raya went up to meet a corner, but Pablo obstructed him with his arm across his throat, allowing Callum Wilson to smash the ball into the Arsenal goal. Jubilation, the Cockneys were jumping in joy. 

The referee didn’t see the obstruction and gave the goal. Then VAR did its check, and the referee was summoned. West Ham was dismayed; a foul was given, rubbing out all hope.

It was Arsenal’s turn to jump around and pump fists in the air. Football can be a cruel game.  

If Arsenal had drawn, the North Londoners would have only three points more than Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

After the match, West Ham’s coach Nuno Espírito Santo said: “ The way the game finished, we’re all upset, of course. I didn’t pay attention to the replay just to not get more upset, but there’s a referee, there’s VAR, there’s circumstances in the past that would be judged differently. Let’s not say much further than that. Over the recent seasons, it’s been happening, and even the referees don’t know what a foul is, what isn’t a foul. It creates a lot of doubt and speculation around it.”

Arsenal’s goalscorer Leandro Trossard commented: “ That was one of the toughest games in general. When we scored, there was a lot of joy, but then we had to dig in at the end and not concede. Then, with the goal, I was just happy we won.”

This was Mikel Arteta’s 500th game for Arsenal, both as player and coach. What were his thoughts on this eventful game?

“ I’m going to certainly remember this day and this number. It was a roller coaster of emotions. We knew it was going to be a tough day. They are fighting for their lives, and we are fighting for the title. With the injury to Ben, we had to make a change. We had to throw everything at it. The action of David in the 70th minute was one-on-one and then there was the controversy with the last goal. It’s a big decision. When I have to be critical, I have been, and today I have to credit them. They have to be brave to have another look at the action, but when you see the picture, there is clearly no question it was a foul.”