Trossard celebrates a goal that could decide the Premier League title at London Stadium
Pep Guardiola’s plea after beating Brentford went unanswered. “Come on you, Irons,” the Manchester City boss shouted to close his post-match press conference, hoping West Ham could do him a favor. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, fighting for survival, held out for 83 minutes at the London Stadium. Despite having chances to win—denied only by David Raya—they eventually fell to an Arsenal team also fighting for everything, but at the other end of the table. Leandro Trossard struck late to secure a 0-1 victory, keeping the Gunners five points clear of City, who still have a game in hand against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal knew they could not afford to slip. After City’s win over Brentford, Mikel Arteta’s men had to win to stay top, and they came out with intensity from the start. Set pieces were again a major weapon, and within the first ten minutes, they had already tested Hermansen multiple times. Trossard, following a double header at the far post, first hit the keeper and then the woodwork.
The siege continued. In the 22nd minute, West Ham survived by the skin of their teeth. Rice delivered a perfect cross from a lateral free kick, Calafiori flicked it on, and Mavropanos, amid a pinball scramble in the box, somehow cleared a ball destined for the net. Arsenal wanted to break the game open early, but Ben White was forced off injured, and the first half ended scoreless.
Summerville and Zubimendi battle for the ball at London Stadium
The second half followed the same pattern: Arsenal camped in the opposition half, West Ham defending deep in their own box, and the London Stadium crowd hoping for a counterattack that could give them life. That was when Raya stepped up with a save that could be worth a Premier League title, though it may not be remembered as much as Trossard’s killer blow minutes later.
In the 78th minute, West Ham had the clearest chance of the match—a moment that could have changed the title race and their own fate. Mateus Fernandes found himself in a perfect position, alone inside the box, but the Spanish goalkeeper stood his ground, spread himself wide, and won the one-on-one duel. It was a stop that prevented a 1-0 for the Hammers and set the stage for the actual 0-1, leaving West Ham now virtually doomed to the Championship.
Five minutes later came the decisive strike. In the 83rd minute, Leandro Trossard, who had already come close early on, finally got his reward. Martin Odegaard dribbled into the Hammers’ box, laid the ball back, and the Belgian finished coolly. Goal—and another giant step in the fight for a league title that hasn’t been celebrated in Arsenal colors for 22 years. It sounds simple, but it was anything but.
Trossard at the moment of scoring against West Ham
Trossard’s goal changed the afternoon and the matchday, and likely two destinies: Arsenal’s and West Ham’s. The Hammers tried to cling to life from a corner in stoppage time, but a clear foul on Raya was called—meaning Wilson’s missile that ended in the net was rightly ruled out.
Guardiola had asked the Irons for a hand, and they came very close to giving it to him. Titles at this level are decided by details. In this case, three: Raya’s composure, Trossard’s finish, and Pablo’s foul on the Spanish keeper in that corner that could have turned everything upside down—including the ending of this story.
