Days after the title race flickered back to life, West Ham United arrived at the Emirates Stadium and poured a bucket of cold water over the whole thing. Arsenal had ambitions of closing the gap at the top to five points but, with no striker and precious little attacking quality, they totally failed to grasp the opportunity in their hands.
Arsenal’s supporters probably already knew they could not win the Premier League without a recognised centre-forward. It would not have felt good, though, to have that suspicion effectively confirmed by defeat here. Reinventing Mikel Merino as a striker might have worked against Leicester City, but the truth for Arsenal is that it never looked likely to work for the second week in a row.
Is that it for the title race? Perhaps Manchester City will have something to say about it against Liverpool on Sunday. As they say, it is not over until it is over. But for Arsenal to keep pace with Arne Slot’s side would require them to find attacking solutions that were simply not there against a diligent and disciplined West Ham.
It is clear that, without four key attackers, Arsenal are not going to be able to blow teams away with their firepower up front. They therefore need to be immaculate in defence at all times. Such perfection proved beyond them on this gruelling day at home, with Jarrod Bowen striking for the visitors and Myles Lewis-Skelly shown a red card in the second half.
For the West Ham supporters, this was unquestionably one of the most enjoyable days of their campaign. Not only did they see a victory for Graham Potter’s side, but they also watched Declan Rice — their former hero — be removed from the action before even an hour had passed. “You should have signed for a big club,” they sneered.
Defeat ended a run of 15 unbeaten matches in the Premier League for Arsenal. More damaging than that, though, might be the way it impacts the mood among the players and supporters. By the final whistle, the Emirates was sound-tracked by groans, anger and frustration. It did not feel like a stadium that believed success was possible this season.
Full match report to follow...
05:23 PM GMT
‘Performance today wasn’t good enough’
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard speaking to Match of the Day: “Big blow. The performance today wasn’t good enough. Really disappointed.
“I don’t know, we lacked a bit in final third efficiency. We have to see the game back and analyse it but it wasn’t good enough.”
05:21 PM GMT
‘We did what was important to win’
Wolves goalscorer Matheus Cunha: “It was a very tough game. Bournemouth have played the whole season very good. We had to be very clever and do what was important to win and we had to be kind of lucky because the defender was imprudent with the action but this can happen. We are very happy about the victory.
“It is so hard to play without one player and we knew we needed to be intelligent and better with the ball. We worked and had some luck to win. We did not have a very good game but we did what was important to win.”
05:13 PM GMT
‘Everyone wrote us off’
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen: “Everyone worked so hard. We knew everyone would have to dig in, defend really well and every person to a man did that today and that’s why we’ve got the result. Everyone wrote us off but we never wrote ourselves off because we know we can win any football game.”
05:07 PM GMT
Brilliant away days
Great day for the away teams in the Premier League as all five visiting sides secure wins.
Biggest shock is the definitely the result at the Emirates. What will this defeat do to Arsenal’s title hopes?
Wolves took full advantage of their extra man against Bournemouth after Illia Zabarnyi’s red card.
Crystal Palace continue to put together good results under Oliver Glasner as they come out on top in the London derby against Fulham.
Tottenham Hotspur, with their fit squad, put four past Ipswich at Portman Road.
And Southampton, who look destined for the Championship, have no answer for Brighton who also score four at St Mary’s.
04:59 PM GMT
Full-time scores
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves
Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace
Ipswich 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton 0-4 Brighton
04:55 PM GMT
Scoreline harsh on Ipswich
The scoreline reads 4-1, which is perhaps harsh on Ipswich. They have not been that bad. But Spurs have indeed been clinical and ruthless. Dejan Kulusevski’s goal killed this contest beyond doubt.
Ange Postecoglou will be very happy I’m sure, and don’t be surprised if he references what he can do with a fit squad.
04:48 PM GMT
Ipswich 1-4 Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur look home and dry as Dejan Kulusevski scores their fourth!
04:44 PM GMT
Nwaneri hobbles off
For any Arsenal fans wondering if their day can get any worse, I have bad news: Ethan Nwaneri has just hobbled off the pitch with what appears to be an injury.
04:43 PM GMT
Southampton 0-4 Brighton
Jack Hinshelwood scores Brighton’s FOURTH!!!
04:42 PM GMT
Maddison plays crucial role
The atmosphere was reaching breaking-point here as the goal went in. Ipswich fans were horrified by some of the decisions referee Tim Robinson had made. Spence’s goal may have just ended this game as a contest though. James Maddison had a crucial part to play for the goal. Two players combining who Thomas Tuchel will have his eye on....
04:37 PM GMT
Spence scores for Spurs
Djed Spence scores his first Premier League goal to give Spurs a 3-1 lead at Portman Road!
04:35 PM GMT
More on Lewis-Skelly’s red card
Arsenal are in big trouble now. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been shown a straight red card for bringing down Mohammed Kudus as the last man back. The foul was on the halfway line but no one was stopping Kudus from there. He had to go.
04:33 PM GMT
Brighton 3-0 up against Southampton
Kaoru Mitoma makes it Brighton three Southampton nil! Visitors are in cruise control at St Mary’s.
04:30 PM GMT
Red card at the Emirates
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been sent off for the hosts!
04:29 PM GMT
Offside goal at Portman Road
Ipswich have just had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled offside. The noise and anticipation in the stadium has been steadily mounting over the last five minutes and you feel the next goal to come may be for Ipswich. Ange Postecoglou may need to freshen things from the bench.
04:25 PM GMT
Crystal Palace double their lead at Craven Cottage
Daniel Munoz does make it Crystal Palace 2 Fulham 0!
04:21 PM GMT
Spurs looking dominant again
Spurs have been dominant in possession in the early knockings of the second half. Djed Spence is inverting into midfield at times and Ipswich seem unable to cope with some of the combinations. Postecoglou will be pleased with the start his side have made.
04:20 PM GMT
West Ham with a message for Rice
West Ham’s day has got even better: Declan Rice has been hooked by Mikel Arteta. “You should have signed for a big club,” comes the chant from the away end. Oleksandr Zinchenko is on in his place, for a chance to play in midfield for his club.
04:18 PM GMT
Southampton 0-2 Brighton
Georginio Rutter doubles Brighton’s lead against Southampton!
04:15 PM GMT
Palace lead Fulham 2-0?
Jean-Philippe Mateta doubles Crystal Palace’s lead... or does he. Goal is being checked by VAR! Goal disallowed!
04:12 PM GMT
Odegaard wants more from the Arsenal fans
We’re 53 minutes into this game and Martin Odegaard, the Arsenal captain, is waving his arms at the home supporters and asking for more noise. The home fans have responded but they would be entitled to demand more of the players, in return. Arsenal are yet to create a chance in this half.
04:09 PM GMT
Second halves under way!
We are into the second second halves across the country.
03:53 PM GMT
Half-time report from Portman Road
The equation at half-time looks very different to 20 minutes ago. The crowd have found their voice again and suddenly the Spurs players are misplacing passes and looking nervy. Whilst Son looks rejuvenated, Dejan Kulusevski looks lethargic, as he has done for some weeks.
Big team talk needed from both managers, and maybe Postecoglou should look at bringing on James Maddison, who seems hungry to prove himself, if social media posts are anything to go by.
03:51 PM GMT
Half-time scores
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves
Fulham 0-1 Crystal Palace
Ipswich 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton 0-1 Brighton
03:46 PM GMT
Wan-Bissaka with a brilliant assist
West Ham take the lead at the Emirates, and it’s all about Aaron Wan-Bissaka. He’s been exceptional throughout this first half and he’s just run from his own half all the way to the Arsenal penalty box, before crossing for Jarrod Bowen to score. It’s a brilliant delivery.
03:45 PM GMT
Arsenal behind at home
Jarrod Bowen, with his 50th goal for the club, gives West Ham the lead!
03:42 PM GMT
Hutchinson pounces as Spurs get comfortable
Well hold on. It may not be a foregone conclusion just yet... In all honesty, that goal has come from absolutely nowhere. Spurs were starting to get comfortable but Omari Hutchinson has just showed why that is never a smart idea. Feels like that sort of moment of magic may have been needed to wake up Ipswich and push them into action.
03:40 PM GMT
Palace take the lead at Craven Cottage
Crystal Palace lead Fulham who have started well against Fulham. Defender Maxence Lacroix with the goal.
03:38 PM GMT
Ipswich score!
Omari Hutchinson pulls one back for Ipswich!
03:37 PM GMT
Wolves take the lead
Matheus Cunha gives the visitors the lead at the Vitality!
03:36 PM GMT
West Ham fans in good voice
The West Ham fans are enjoying this defensive showing by their team. They’re singing that Arsenal will finish “second again (olé olé)” and reminding the home supporters that, unlike themselves, Arsenal are not European champions.
Potter’s side have had a few half-chances on the break, too.
03:34 PM GMT
Bournemouth down to 10 men
Illia Zabarnyi has been sent off for Bournemouth after having his yellow card upgraded to red after fouling Rayan Ait-Nouri.
03:32 PM GMT
Tractor Boys getting steam-rolled
It’s that same duo of Son and Johnson. If Spurs’ first was well crafted and the product of applied pressure, this one was more gift-wrapped and served up on a plate from Ipswich. The Korean was allowed to saunter into the box and find Johnson, completely unmarked in the six-yard box. The Tractor Boys are getting steam-rolled here...
03:28 PM GMT
Spurs double their lead through Johsnon
Brennan Johnson scores again as Tottenham Hotspur carve Ipswich open!
03:26 PM GMT
Brighton lead Southampton
Joao Pedro scores for Brighton as the visitors take the lead at St Mary’s.
03:24 PM GMT
Nwaneri brings Arsenal fans to life
The Arsenal supporters have come to life and it’s because of Ethan Nwaneri, who has just produced two fabulous pieces of control in the space of a few seconds. The second of those led to Riccardo Calafiori having a powerful shot from the edge of the area, which was saved by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. Arsenal are starting to build some momentum.
03:23 PM GMT
Son and Spence shining for Spurs
That goal hasn’t come as a surprise. Spurs have been growing into the game nicely, and it’s no surprise Son Heung-min was directly involved, given the start he’s made.
Djed Spence at the other end of the pitch is continuing his imperious form too. His manager was talking about his England chances yesterday and it seems he was listening closely...
03:21 PM GMT
Tottenham Hotspur take the lead at Portman Road
Brennan Johnson has opened the scoring at Portman Road as Tottenham Hotspur lead Ipswich 1-0!
03:17 PM GMT
Slow start by Arsenal
Quite a slow start by Arsenal here but they are starting to push West Ham back towards their own goal. No real chances of note yet but Mikel Merino, the reinvented midfielder playing in attack again, has got close to a couple of crosses.
It will be interesting to see how long Merino lasts in this position. Playing up front for Arsenal requires a lot of sprinting without the ball. Let’s see if Merino has the legs for that.
03:14 PM GMT
Early change at St Mary’s
Southampton captain Jan Bednarek has been forced off inside the opening 15 minutes. On comes Armel Bella-Kotchap.
03:11 PM GMT
Relentless opening seven minutes at Portman Road
It’s been a relentless opening seven minutes at Portman Road. Ipswich have started quickly and almost had the ball in the back of the net on two occasions, Liam Delap causing the danger. The crowd are really up for this one. It’s hard to even hear yourself, which may be why the Tottenham Hotspur defenders seem unable to communicate at the moment....
03:07 PM GMT
Ipswich start well
Liam Delap, leading the line for the hosts, draws the first save of the match by Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Moments later, the striker dragged a shot wide.
03:01 PM GMT
All five games under way!
We are under way now in all five 3pm kick-offs.
02:36 PM GMT
Udogie and Johnson start for Spurs
The team news is in from Portman Road and there’s more than welcome returns for Destiny Udogie, who has been for almost two months, and Brennan Johnson, who has not started since the FA Cup game against Tamworth. Djed Spence also starts in his favoured right back position for the first time since Boxing Day. After months of uncertainty and innovation, Ange Postecoglou might finally be able to set up a team in the way he would prefer...
02:26 PM GMT
Southampton-Brighton teams in black and white
Southampton XI: Ramsdale, Archer, Bednarek, Bree, Welington, Walker-Peters, Aribo, Dibling, Sulemana, Ugochukwo, Mateus Fernandes.
Subs: McCarthy, Manning, Downes, Stephens, Smallbone, Sugawara, Gronbaek, Onuachu, Bella-Kotchap.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Minteh, Webster, van Hecke, Hinshelwood, Rutter, Mitoma, Ayari, Baleba, Joao Pedro.
Subs: Rushworth, March, Gruda, Adingra,Cashin, Gomez, Wieffer, Estupinan, O’Riley.
Cameron Archer, Lesley Ugochuko and Tyler Dibling take their place in Southampton’s starting-11. Danny Welbeck is out for Brighton and is replaced by No 9 Joao Pedro.
02:21 PM GMT
Ipswich-Tottenham Hotspur teams in black and white
Ipswich XI: Palmer, Godfrey, O’Shea (c), Greaves, Davis, Phillips, Cajuste, Philogene, Hutchinson, Clarke, Delap.
Subs: Muric, Woolfenden, Townsend, Johnson, Morsy, Taylor, Szmodics, Broadhead, Hirst.
Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Spence, Danso, Gray, Udogie, Bergvall, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Johnson, Tel, Son (c).
Subs: Kinsky, Porro, Reguilon, Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison, Moore, Odobert, Scarlett.
Ben Godfrey comes in for the suspended Axel Tuanzebe as Sam Morsy and Sammie Szmodics return to the bench for the hosts. Spurs welcome Archie Gray, Destiny Udogie and Brennan Johnson back to their starting-11 as James Maddison and Pedro Porro drop to the bench.
02:16 PM GMT
Fulham-Crystal Palace teams in black and white
Fulham XI: Leno; Robinson, Bassey, Andersen, Castagne; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Traore; Jimenez.
Subs: Benda, Reed, Muniz, Cairney, Cuenca, Pereira, Willian, Sessegnon, Diop.
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Munoz; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.
Subs: Turner, Nketiah, Clyne, Kamada, Wharton, Esse, Chilwell, Devenny, Kporha.
Marco Silva names an unchanged side after last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze returns to the Crystal Palace line-up.
02:12 PM GMT
Bournemouth-Wolves teams in black and white
Bournemouth XI: Arrizabalaga, Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez, Christie, Hill, Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo, Ouattara.
Subs: Dennis, Scott, Brooks, Evanilson, Sinisterra, Adams, Soler, Jebbison, Winterburn.
Wolves XI: Sa, Bueno, Doherty, Munetsi, T Gomes, Semedo, Andre, J Gomes, Ait Nouri, Bellegarde, Cunha.
Subs: Johnstone, Traore, Strand Larsen, Doyle, Sarabia, Forbs, Djiga, Lima, Pond.
Marcus Tavernier and James Hill both start as Evanilson returns to the bench for Bournemouth. Goncalo Guedes misses out for Wolves as Santiago Bueno and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde are among the substitutes for the visitors.
02:08 PM GMT
Merino starts, Sterling drops to the bench
The big news from the Emirates is that Mikel Merino starts for Arsenal. I think it would be safe to assume he’ll be playing as a striker again, after his remarkable substitute appearance at Leicester last week. Raheem Sterling drops to the bench.
02:02 PM GMT
Arsenal-West Ham teams in black and white
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard.
Subs: Neto, Tierney, White, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji, Lewis-Skelly.
West Ham XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles, Cresswell, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Kudus, Bowen.
Subs: Fabianski, Soler, Mavropanos, Guilherme, Ings, Rodriguez, Emerson, Ferguson, Irving.
Merino leads the line for Arsenal, with Trossard and Nwaneri either side, as Ward-Prowse and Cresswell return to West Ham’s starting XI.
01:54 PM GMT
Brighton team news
01:53 PM GMT
Southampton team news
01:52 PM GMT
Tottenham Hotspur team news
01:52 PM GMT
Ipswich team news
01:51 PM GMT
Crystal Palace team news
01:50 PM GMT
Fulham team news
01:49 PM GMT
Wolves team news
01:48 PM GMT
Bournemouth teams news
01:46 PM GMT
West Ham team news
01:46 PM GMT
Arsenal team news
???? ???????????????????????????????? ⚪️
???????? Calafiori in at left-back
???????? Odegaard skippers the side
???????? Merino leads the lineLet's make the most of this opportunity, Gunners ✊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 22, 2025
01:39 PM GMT
Mikel Arteta: I won’t clip Ethan Nwaneri’s wings
Arsenal’s teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri is developing “much faster” than anyone at the club expected, Mikel Arteta has said.
Nwaneri, 17, has already scored seven goals this season as he has established himself as one of the most thrilling young prospects in the Premier League.
Arsenal’s coaching staff are determined to allow Nwaneri to express himself and feel freedom on the pitch, with Arteta saying he wants the teenager to avoid going into “thinking mode”.
Nwaneri is now effectively a guaranteed starter because of the attacking injury crisis that has left Arsenal without key forwards Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. He is set to play on the right wing against West Ham United this weekend.
Asked about the speed of Nwaneri’s development, Arteta said: “Yes, it is probably much faster than we all expected. I think what is surprising is probably the confidence and his decision-making, especially in ball possession.
“The risks that he takes, the initiative that he takes and how clever he is about [thinking] ‘ok, what is the situation? If somebody is more open’. I love that in a player and now he needs to do it consistently, every three days.”
On the importance of giving Nwaneri freedom in attack, Arteta added: “For sure. Especially a player with that talent. Get him very, very far from thinking mode, let him express himself. Put him in the environment, put him in the context that he can exploit his qualities as often as he possibly can, surrounded by players that fit his qualities.
“There are certain duties in a collective sport that you have to be able to do, and do with the right timing as well. Because that is essential, especially in football. But then they have the freedom to express their creativity within certain spaces, with certain connections that are developed within the team.”
Arsenal go into today’s meeting with West Ham knowing that victory would reduce the gap to league leaders Liverpool to five points, ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Manchester City on Sunday.
Arteta said he believes his team can now gain momentum in the title race, even if he prefers them to be league leaders rather than the chasers.
“I prefer to depend on me, because when you depend on somebody else there are too many factors,” said the Arsenal manager. “But it feels different, it feels like we can generate the right momentum.”
01:31 PM GMT
Five 3pm kick-offs
Good afternoon and welcome to clockwatch coverage of this afternoon’s five 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League.
Arsenal welcome West Ham to the Emirates for a London derby and will be looking to kick on after their late 2-0 victory over Leicester last weekend. Makeshift striker Mikel Merino, who scored both goals, was a second-half substitute in that game and is likely to start this afternoon. Meanwhile, West Ham who have gone four games without a win, are missing a whole host of players including Lucas Paqueta, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug among others.
Bournemouth, looking for their third win on the bounce, host Wolves at the Vitality. Andoni Iraola’s side are fifth in the league and very much in the conversation for Champions League football next season. It is a different story for Wolves, who have looked good at times under Vitor Pereira but find themselves in a relegation fight – two points separates them in 17th and 18th-placed Ipswich.
In another London derby, Fulham take on Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage. Marco Silva’s side are on a three-game winning streak in the league and cup and will be in buoyant mood after victory last time out against fellow impressors Nottingham Forest. Oliver Glasner’s Palace were frustrated by Everton at Selhurst Park last weekend and will no doubt be looking for a reaction against their London rivals.
Ipswich face Tottenham “Hotspur” at Portman Road and will look to do the double against Ange Postecoglou’s side after beating Spurs 2-1 in the reverse fixture in November. Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap were the scorers for Ipswich that day and both should feature this afternoon. Spurs, who saw off Manchester United last Sunday, are still missing the likes of Cristian Romero, Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven, but Son Heung-min and Rodrigo Bentancur are available after being forced off last weekend.
Southampton and Brighton face off at St Mary’s with the home side looking more doomed by the week. Ivan Juric’s side are bottom of the table and are yet to hit double figures in the points chart – currently on nine, 10 behind Wolves in 17th. Tenth-placed Brighton on the other hand are riding a bit of a wave after beating Chelsea twice in the space of two weeks in the cup and league by an aggregate score of 5-1.
