Arsenal took on West Ham United looking to keep their title hopes alive and move to within five points of leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal were frustrated in the opening exchanges despite fans comparing Nwaneri to Bergkamp with some sublime ball control.
West Ham took the lead just before half time when Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross was put on a plate for striker Jarrod Bowen to head home.
Myles Lewis-Skelly a second half substitute was sent off following a foul on Mohammed Kudus in which he was the last defender.
The Gunners were unable to make any impression on the West Ham goal in the remainder of the game and the defeat is likely to end any hopes of catching Arne Slot’s side in the title race.
Mikel Arteta will struggle to hide his frustration at the performance and result from his team, here are the winners and losers from the Premier League clash with West Ham United.
Winners from Arsenal v West Ham United
Liverpool
That should be that when it comes to the Premier League title for Arne Slot’s Liverpool. With a win over Manchester City, the Reds can move eleven points clear at the top of the league.
With Arteta’s side decimated with injuries and lacking any sort of firepower up top, Liverpool are now likely to cruise to their first title since 2020.
As for Arsenal, the inquest now begins as to how reinforcements were not recruited in January when such an opportunity of silverware had presented itself.
Losers from Arsenal v West Ham United
Gabriel Magalhaes
It seems harsh to criticise the Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes after the wonderful season he has produced but he will not be happy himself with his part in the West Ham opener.
The centre back seemed to lose his bearings and duck under the cross from Wan-Bissaka, which then allowed Bowen to steal in behind Declan Rice and give the Hammers the lead.
Riccardo Calafiori
It was a small surprise that Riccardo Calafiori was given the nod to start over Lewis-Skelly and the Italian defender will also be disappointed with his part in the West Ham goal.
Calafiori backed off too far and allowed Wan-Bissaka to beat him to the byline and cross for Bowen to score unmarked in the box.
It certainly wasn’t the typical aggressive defending that fans have come to love from Calafiori since arriving at the club and his uncharacteristic mistake has come at just the wrong time.
Declan Rice
It is always emotional for Rice to come up against his former club West Ham but the England international let the tension get the better of him on a frustrating afternoon.
He struggled to make an impact on the ball and create anything going forward for the Gunners whilst he also lost Bowen for the Hammers opening goal.
To make matters worse for Rice, he was then substituted in the 56th minute to cries of ‘You should have signed for a big club’ from his former supporters.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
The Hale End graduate has been superb for the Gunners in his breakout season however, he had an afternoon to forget at the Emirates Stadium.
Brought on for Calafiori in the second half, Lewis-Skelly lost possession on the halfway line with his team pushing for an equaliser and brought down Kudus to earn his second red card in six games.
The incident took away all hope of an Arsenal fightback as the Hammers were able to use their man advantage to comfortably see out the game.
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