Arsenal throw away another two goal lead in Premier League title race

For the second time in a week, Arsenal threw away an early two goal lead to drop two points, as West Ham United provided a remarkable comeback.

Last week, pundits and fans were split on whether Mikel Arteta's team had actually thrown away two points, or gained one, as they failed once again to win at Liverpool.

The visitors scored two early goals at Anfield and looked well on the way to end over 10 years without a win there, only for Jurgen Klopp's team to turn things around.

This week, they travelled to relegation threatened West Ham, and would have expected to come away with all three points, especially went 2-0 up in just 10 minutes, through goals from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard.

However, Said Benrahma scored a penalty before the break and Jarrod Bowen equalised early in the second half, to earn David Moyes side a much needed point.

Unlike last Sunday, when the visitors to Merseyside were going into the game with a terrible record at Anfield, their record at the London Stadium was far healthier.

Add to that, the Hammers had conceded five goals against Newcastle United in their most recent game, and everything looked set for three points for Arteta's side.

Home fans must have been wondering if they'd only turned up to watch the league leaders, when they took the lead through Jesus in the seventh minute.

It was a beautiful flowing move with the Brazilian finishing from close range after Odegaard's ball found Ben White, who crossed low for the assist.

Odegaard doubled the lead three minutes, as Gabriel Martinelli sized up Vladimir Coufal, before crossing for his Norwegian teammate to volley home.

Arsenal are running RAMPANT! IT'S 2-0 after nine minutes 😳 pic.twitter.com/JHq95Old5K

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 16, 2023

There looked literally no chance of West Ham doing similar to Liverpool seven days prior, but things suddenly changed, and David Moyes side started coming forward.

They won a penalty on 32 minutes, when Gabriel brought down Lucas Paqueta, with a lunge that was never going to win the ball, and Benrahma slotted home.

Thomas Partey and Jesus were both booked and the hosts had a couple more chances, as they finished the half well on top.

The break came at a bad time for them and just six minutes into the second half Arsenal had a penalty, when Michail Antonio was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Mohamed Salah's missed penalty was part of the reason Arsenal managed a draw last week, but this time it was Bukayo Saka's own missed attempt that left the Gunners vulnerable.

A HUGE TURNAROUND! West Ham complete the comeback from 2-0 down to 2-2 🤯 pic.twitter.com/vHfeiD5HY5

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 16, 2023

Just two minutes later, Bowen got on the end of a cross from Thilo Kehrer and volleyed home, where Aaron Ramsdale perhaps could have done better.

A week before, the keeper's two late saves had made sure that Arteta's side left their game with a point, and again it was West Ham who had the better chances late on, including Antonio hitting the crossbar.

The point means that the league leaders are now just four points clear of chasers Manchester City, with the defending champions hosting their rivals soon and with a game in hand.

West Ham are four points above the bottom three, but will know they need more of the second half and less of the first, in order to beat the drop.