KILLER INSTINCT IS MISSING AS ARSENAL SHOW FIRST SIGNS OF TITLE PRESSURE

WEST HAM is famously the place where dreams fade and die, but few predicted the Hammers would burst Arsenal’s bubble.

- Simon Collings

West Ham Benrahma 2

33 (pen), Bowen 54 

Arsenal 2 

Jesus 7, Odegaard 10  

After letting slip a two-goal lead for a second week in a row and drawing here 2-2, the Gunners are now just four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

City have a game in hand and also host Mikel Arteta’s side a week on Wednesday. Arsenal now probably need to get a result at the Etihad to keep them on course for the title — and their destiny is still in their own hands — but the momentum is now undeniably with City.

Arteta has proved an expert at picking up his players from low points. However, that will be a challenge, given the nature of this draw.

Arsenal had the game in the palm of their hands, but individual errors cost them. The fact Bukayo Saka, the team’s player of the season, missed a penalty to make it 3-1 only adds to the difficulty Arteta faces in lifting the mood.

It felt like one point gained at Anfield eight days ago, as Aaron Ramsdale’s heroics saved Arsenal. Yesterday, however, was most certainly two points dropped.