Arsenal produce comeback to draw
Arsenal came back from three goals down to produce a remarkable comeback and draw 3-3 with Champions League chasing West Ham at the Olympic Stadium.
West Ham looked to be on their way to victory with three goals in the opening 32 minutes.
First half
Jesse Lingard scored his fifth goal in all competitions against Arsenal – more than he has scored against any other club – with a brilliant swerving half-volley in the 15th minute from the edge of the box after a Michail Antonio pass.
The English midfielder, on loan from Manchester United, then showed intuitiveness two minutes later to take a quick free kick and set up Bowen to squeeze a shot past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
West Ham were rampant and Arsenal half-asleep and shaken. Then, in the 32nd minute, Vladimir Coufal crossed for Antonio to head in with Tomas Soucek getting the last touch.
Arsenal seemed dead and buried at that point but they showed character and fight to respond and grab a goal before half-time. Calum Chambers was a threat down the right hand side and his cross set up Alexandre Lacazette, who hit a half volley that was directed goal-wards by Soucek.
Second half
Mikel Arteta’s side pinned the hosts back for the majority of the second half and played some fluent football.
Lacazette had a lob cleared off the line but they got what their dominance deserved via another own-goal. Another Chambers cross was turned in by Craig Dawson and Arsenal were back in the game.
Despite being on the back foot, West Ham created big chances with Antonio hitting the post with the goal gaping and Kieran Tierney making a crucial block from Bowen’s shot.
With eight minutes remaining, Arsenal equalised. Substitute Nicolas Pepe stood up a cross and Lacazette rose highest to head home.
What it means
West Ham will rue their missed opportunity to go level on points with Chelsea in fourth. David Moyes’ side are fifth, two points behind Chelsea.
Arsenal are up to ninth, six points off the top six and seven points behind West Ham. The Hammers haven’t finished above the Gunners since 1985-86.
Featured image: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates with Gabriel Martinelli and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang after scoring their side’s third goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the London Stadium. Photo by Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Images)
