Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League after securing a narrow 1-0 triumph against West Ham United at the London Stadium this afternoon.
Leandro Trossard proved the match-winner with just seven minutes remaining, his effort taking a decisive deflection off Tomas Soucek before finding the net.
The Belgian forward had earlier been denied twice in quick succession during the opening period, striking the woodwork on both occasions.
Manchester City, who trail the Gunners by five points, still have a match in hand as the title race enters its final stages.
David Raya’s crucial intervention moments before the goal proved equally significant, the goalkeeper denying Mateus Fernandes from close range when the West Ham midfielder appeared certain to score.
West Ham believed they had salvaged a point deep into added time when Callum Wilson found the net, sparking celebrations among the home faithful.
However, those scenes of jubilation quickly turned to anger as the video assistant referee conducted an extended review of the incident.
Arsenal battled their way to a narrow 1-0 win over West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday to boost their chances of a first Premier League title since 2004
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Officials ultimately chalked off the strike, determining that Wilson had committed a foul on Raya in the build-up.
The lengthy VAR examination only heightened tensions inside the stadium, with home supporters left incensed by the final decision.
For Arsenal, the ruling meant unbridled joy, while the Hammers were left to contemplate what might have been.
Leandro Trossard scored late for Arsenal to beat West Ham
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Callum Wilson had a late goal disallowed by VAR in West Ham’s match with Arsenal
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Mikel Arteta’s side controlled proceedings in the early stages but found themselves disrupted when Ben White departed with a knee injury.
The Arsenal manager made the unexpected decision to shift Declan Rice into the right-back position, a move that saw the hosts lose their grip on the contest.
David Raya made sensational saves for Arsenal against West Ham
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Rice was restored to his natural midfield berth after the interval, though West Ham had already grown in confidence by that point.
Raya had earlier been called into action to keep out a header from Taty Castellanos, underlining the goalkeeper’s importance to Arsenal’s afternoon.
Mikel Arteta was jubilant as Arsenal battled their way to victory over West Ham
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The defeat leaves West Ham mired in the relegation zone, sitting one point adrift of north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur having played an additional fixture.
The contrast in fortunes between the two clubs could scarcely be starker, with Arsenal now closing in on their first league championship in 22 years.
Arteta’s men have already booked their place in the Champions League Final, meaning a historic double remains within reach.
For the Hammers, however, the battle for survival intensifies with each passing week, and today’s dramatic conclusion will do little to ease the growing anxiety around the London Stadium.
