Arsenal F.C. edge closer to Premier League glory

KATHMANDU: Arsenal F.C. moved a step closer to the Premier League title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over West Ham United F.C. in a tense encounter on Sunday.

The decisive moment came in the 83rd minute when Leandro Trossard found the net after receiving a precise pass from Martin Ødegaard.

Trossard weaved through a crowded penalty area before firing home to hand Arsenal a crucial three points in the title race.

Arsenal had threatened early in the match, with Trossard striking the bar in the ninth minute after goalkeeper Mads Hermansen tipped his effort onto the woodwork. A follow-up header also rattled the crossbar as the hosts dominated the opening stages.

The Gunners briefly lost momentum after defender Ben White was forced off with an injury. Manager Mikel Arteta responded by shifting Declan Rice to right-back.

West Ham created chances of their own, with Valentín Castellanos nearly scoring before halftime, only for Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya to produce an important save.

The visitors thought they had snatched a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time when Callum Wilson found the net. However, after a VAR review, referee Chris Kavanagh ruled the goal out for a foul by Pablo Fornals on Raya, sparking wild celebrations among Arsenal players and supporters.

With the victory, Arsenal are now just two wins away from securing the Premier League crown. The North London club sit top of the table with 79 points from 36 matches, while defending champions Manchester City F.C. remain second on 74 points with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, West Ham’s relegation worries deepened. If Tottenham Hotspur F.C. defeat Leeds United F.C., the Hammers would sit only four points above the relegation zone.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Burnley F.C. and Aston Villa F.C. played out a 2-2 draw, while Crystal Palace F.C. and Everton F.C. also shared the spoils in a 2-2 result. Nottingham Forest F.C. and Newcastle United F.C. settled for a 1-1 draw.