16 April 2023 , 15:34
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David Moyes doubted Arsenal's title credentials back in December - and he may have just ruined them on Sunday afternoon.
For the second successive Sunday, Mikel Arteta's side relinquished a 2-0 lead away from home. But whilst their escapades at Anfield were widely seen as escaping with a point, Sunday's showing at West Ham signified a side now yielding under intense pressure from Manchester City.
Again, Arsenal controlled the early stages, with Gabriel Jesus and then Martin Odegaard putting his side 2-0 up with 10 minutes. But the tide turned 12 minutes before the break, when the home side were gifted a penalty and Said Benrahma did the honours.
Bukayo Saka had the chance to restore calm after half time with a spot kick of his own, only to fire high and wide. It proved costly, as Jarrod Bowen swiftly levelled to deliver a hammer blow - literally - to the visitors.
Back in December, Moyes was quizzed as to whether he believed his former Everton player Arteta could become a title-winning manager by the end of the current campaign. His answer was apprehensive at best: "I think Mikel might go on to be one. Do I think they’re going to win it this year? I’m not sure," he said.
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"I think you’d be remiss if you don’t think of Man City. You’d be doing them down. They’ve got a fantastic team and there’ll be other teams that are a bit more used to being around the top, maybe a Liverpool later on."
Jarrod Bowen equalised as West Ham rallied (CameraSport via Getty Images)The Liverpool prediction hasn't exactly come to fruition, but the insinuation that Arsenal won't last the pace suddenly appears a shrewd one. They remain four points ahead of City, who have a game in hand, with the clash between the two at the Etihad on April 26 now beyond pivotal.
Technically, Arsenal could still draw that night and claim a first title since 2003/04, providing they win the rest of their games. But with City looking imperious amid their 3-1 win over Leicester on Saturday, there is a resounding sense of a momentum shift.
The point boosts West Ham's own league ambitions, albeit ones which simply centre on survival. Moyes' men now lie four clear of the bottom three, although Nottingham Forest can breach that gap against Manchester United later today (Sunday).