Arsenal dropped valuable points in their Premier League title battle with Manchester City as they drew at West Ham at the London Stadium.
The Gunners failed to extend the gap at the top of the league table (by three more points) when they travelled to West Ham as they missed a penalty and threw away a two-goal lead.
Arsenal were 2-0 up inside the opening 10 minutes at the London Stadium as they looked to be cruising to victory, but failed to seal a vital win in their push for their first English top-flight title in nearly 20 years.
Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus broke the deadlock in the seventh minute and Martin Odegaard's brilliant volley three minutes later made it 2-0.
You would think Mikel Arteta’s Gunners would cruise to a win after last week’s experience at Anfield, but that was not the case as they could not hold on to their advantage.
Said Benrahma scored a penalty, which was awarded by the referee after defender Gabriel brought down midfielder Lucas Paqueta, giving hope to the hosts to get into the game.
Arsenal got a spot-kick of their own as Michail Antonio was penalised for handling the ball in the box. However, Arsenal academy graduate Bukayo Saka missed the target, and moments later Jarrod Bowen finished off a superb cross from Thilo Kehrer.
The results leaves Arsenal four points ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, who have a game in hand, while West Ham sit in the 15th spot, four points above the relegation zone.
Arsenal 'gave them the game they wanted.'
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard told Sky Sports after the match: "A lot of the same things to last week, started well but then we stopped, allowed them to play on their qualities. We gave them the game they wanted, we gave them hope, and that's on us. We have to look forward now.
"We started to do a lot of stupid things on the ball, we allowed them to play on the long balls.
On Bukayo Saka's penalty miss, the Norwegian said: "These things happen, he has been brilliant all season and been clinical from the spot. But today was not the day for him. We win and lose together."
When asked about their lead over Man City being cut down to four points, he replied: "We have to remember we are still top of the league with everything in our own hands. The same mindset, same mentality to make sure we win the next one."
'Very disappointing. We lost the purpose'
Arteta added: "Very disappointing. The way we started was superb again, we were in total control, then we lost purpose.
"We gave them hope, conceded a terrible penalty, then credit to them. We got on the roller coaster where everything is going, corners and throw ins, and we never got away from that.
"The purpose we needed for the third and fourth goal, I didn't see it."
When asked about Saka, the Spaniard said: "A player who takes penalties misses penalties, I don't know anyone who hasn't."
And finally when quizzed whether the title race pressure has gone up a few notches, he replied: "It's the same, I don't know how many notches there were a few months ago. We can't control it."
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