Arsenal player ratings vs West Ham: Two 9/10s rescue team-mates in epic title decider | Football | Sport

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal dug deeper than they ever have before to snatch three points late on against relegation-threatened West Ham United. It is a match that will live long in the memory, as drama at both ends of the pitch had potentially ginormous consequences on the title race and relegation battle.

The Champions League finalists started on fire and registered 10 shots inside the opening 22 minutes. However, through a combination of strong defending and good fortune, the West Ham back line stood strong and repelled Arsenal‘s advances. The half hinged on an injury to Ben White, with Arteta opting to push Declan Rice out to right back, helping West Ham wrestle back some of the midfield control. The Hammers grew into the contest, with Arsenal the ones welcoming the half-time whistle.

Despite a tactical switch at the break, Arsenal continued to huff and puff. Instead, it looked as if West Ham were the most likely to find a breakthrough, and if it wasn’t for a stunning David Raya save to deny Mateus Fernandes, they very well could’ve. What felt like a monumental save at the time was made even bigger when Leandro Trossard tucked home Martin Odegaard’s cutback with 10 minutes to play. West Ham thought they’d equalised by the skin of their teeth, but the most agonising of VAR checks went the way of Arsenal, who will be counting themselves lucky. Express Sport hand out player ratings from a nail-biting encounter…

Pulled off a solid save to deny Valentin Castellanos’ diving header in the first half, but it was an effort he’d have been expected to make. But it was his save with 12 minutes to play that will, deservedly, capture all of the limelight. As has so often been the case this season, the Spanish goalkeeper stayed big and denied Fernandes what looked to be a certain goal.

Gave possession away a couple of times before the injury, but it was his timidness in a tackle against Summerville that looked to do the damage for the defender. Pulled out of a 50/50 and ended up injuring himself in the process. Didn’t look too good as he hobbled off the pitch.

Had to battle hard when the West Ham onslaught came, but stood tall and stuck his body in the way when needed.

Pulled off a sensational block late on to deny a goal-bound effort and was largely faultless throughout the contest. Erling Haaland not going down after their coming together might’ve just saved Arsenal’s season.

Was one of the best players on the pitch during the first half, and was crucial to the early Arsenal blitz. Came close to opening the scoring and linked up superbly with Leandro Trossard down the left-hand side of their attack. Would’ve been disappointed to be hooked at the break with what looked to be an eyebrow-raising change at the time.

Started the game well with some surging runs, but must’ve been questioning his manager’s sanity when asked to do a 20-minute stint at right-back.

Has been somewhat transformative since coming into the side around a week ago. He started the game well, but wasn’t involved as much from an attacking point of view after moving out to left back. Still, the youngster was able to showcase the defensive side of his game to good effect.

Kept things ticking over in midfield but didn’t have the authority to impose himself on the game like previous weeks.

Struggled for space in the first half and apart from a couple of long-range efforts, wasn’t anywhere to be seen. After being the man to send Arsenal to the Champions League final in mid-week, the Englishman needed the help of his team-mates on a nervy afternoon in east London.

Aside from a half chance in the first half, the Swede didn’t have any sights on goal until the latter stages of the contest.

Had been signed in January 2023 to boost Arsenal’s first title challenge under Arteta, but fast forward three years and he might’ve just won them the league in 2026. His composed finish from inside the penalty area could be the difference between first place and second come the final game of the season.

Never adapted to the pace of the game and gave the ball away when Arsenal found themselves in some promising final-third positions.

Came on at the break to sturdy things up on the right-hand side of defence and certainly achieved that.

The sort of cameo Arsenal fans have been crying out for. Took the match by the scruff of the neck and pulled out what proved to be a winning moment.

Didn’t do much in attack but helped with the defensive work.

Helped stretch the pitch and certainly brought a touch of vibrancy to the Arsenal attack.