Arsenal furious after being hit by same VAR controversy that sparked Mikel Arteta meltdown in Newcastle clash

A delay of three minutes was needed for referee Michael Oliver before VAR confirmed the goal after failing to find conclusive proof that it had gone out, as Bowen set up his team-mate for a fifth league goal of the season.

Despite being pressed back for large swathes of the match, West Ham sealed a memorable triumph when former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos rose to power a header in off the bar from a James Ward-Prowse corner for his first Premier League goal on 55 minutes.

Home keeper David Raya saved a penalty kick from Said Benrahma at the death after former West Ham midfielder Declan Rice had felled Emerson in injury time, but by then the three points were already on their way to East London.

David Moyes’ men move above Manchester United into sixth in the table, while Arsenal remain two points behind leaders Liverpool at the halfway stage of the campaign.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: JAMES WARD-PROWSE (WEST HAM)

A superbly disciplined performance from Ward-Prowse as his side operated a low block that Arsenal could not cut through despite plenty of huffing and puffing.

Always aware of the danger around him in shuffling across to help out his team-mates, while remaining a real asset whenever West Ham broke at speed on counter attack.

And added another assist to his growing tally by providing the corner for Mavropanos to clatter home the game-clinching header early in the second half.

PLAYER RATINGS

Arsenal: Raya 7, Saliba 7, White 6, Gabriel 7, Saka 7, Odegaard 8, Jesus 6, Martinelli 6, Trossard 6, Zinchenko 6, Rice 7 Subs: Nelson 6, Nketiah 6, Smith Rowe 6

West Ham: Areola 8, Coufal 7, Ward-Prowse 9, Paqueta 8, Kudus 8, Mavropanos 8, Alvarez 8, Bowen 8, Ogbonna 8, Soucek 8, Emerson 8 Subs: Benrahma 7

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

13′ GOAL FOR WEST HAM! (SOUCEK) Well, would you believe this. Tomás Soucek thumps a volley into the corner of the gaping net from the Bowen cutback. Home defence all over the show. Was that ball out? VAR will take a look. West Ham fans in party mood.

29′ BRILLIANT STOP FROM WEST HAM KEEPER Alphonse Areola throws up a left arm to claw the ball over the bar from Saka’s close-ranger header. Lovely play by the home side with Gabriel Jesus playing provider.

31′ BAD NEWS FOR WEST HAM HERE Looking like Lucas Paquetá has run his race for the evening. That is a bad blow for the visitors. Is it a knee injury? He limps off the pitch with Moyes forced to throw on Saïd Benrahma.

43′ SAKA HITS THE POST FOR GUNNERS! That is so unfortunate for the home side. Areola well beaten at his near post this time from the Martin Odegaard pass. How did that stay out? It somehow remains 1-0 for West Ham, who are guilty of losing possession in their own half.

55′ GOAL FOR WEST HAM! (MAVROPANOS) What a brilliant finish for West Ham as they move 2-0 clear. Ward-Prowse with a superb corner and Konstantinos Mavropanos rises to power home the ball with his header. In off the bar and 2-0 to the Hammers.

90+5′ WEST HAM HAVE A PENALTY! But Raya saves the spot kick from Said Benrahma after Rice had felled Emerson. And it will finish 2-0 to West Ham as the final whistle sounds. What a night for West Ham!

KEY STAT

‘We are really short’ – Arteta says ‘exposed’ Arsenal will explore January moves‘We are really short’ – Arteta says ‘exposed’ Arsenal will explore January moves

PREMIER LEAGUE

‘WE ARE REALLY SHORT’ – ARTETA SAYS ‘EXPOSED’ ARSENAL WILL EXPLORE JANUARY MOVES

YESTERDAY AT 18:55