A terrific game unfolded at London Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Arsenal fought back from three goals down to secure a draw against West Ham. The Gunners conceded three first half goals but responded well and almost run away with the win following a top display in the second half.
Arsenal were made to feel the heat right from the onset after quick-fires goals from Jesse Lingard and Jarrod Bowen put West Ham in the driver's seat. Inside the 32nd minute, Michail Antonio got in on the action to score his side's third goal of the afternoon, leaving very little room for a probable comeback. But that did not deter their visitors from trying as a Tomas Soucek own-goal in the 38th minute will set the tone for an eventual comeback.
1998 - Tomas Soucek is the first player to score both a goal and an own goal in the same home Premier League game for West Ham since Frank Lampard v Leicester at Upton Park in November 1998. Box-to-box. pic.twitter.com/OiMfRC90Kf
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 21, 2021
2019 - Craig Dawson is the first player to score an own goal in consecutive Premier League appearances since Conor Coady in January 2019, and the first to do so for West Ham. Woopsy. pic.twitter.com/kOkBErmpBn
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 21, 2021
Having spotted the possibility of a comeback as a result of West Ham's defensive appraoch in the second half, the Gunners upped the ante and were duly rewarded with yet another own-goal in the 63rd minute - Craig Dawson being the scorer this time. Alexandre Lacazette, who had been instrumental throughout the game, caused David Moyes' side to rue a number of missed chances by scoring the game's leveller in the 82nd minute. The Frenchman, and compatriort Nicholas Pepe came subsequently came close to finding the winner for the visitors but saw their efforts missing out narrowly.
3 - This was the third Premier League game this season in which a team has led by 3+ goals and failed to win (also West Brom 3-3 Chelsea and Tottenham 3-3 West Ham); the only other Premier League campaign to see three such instances is 2010-11. Comebacks. pic.twitter.com/EL0YNha8Fy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 21, 2021
Watch all of Arsenal's goals below:
A glimmer of hope for Arsenal?
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) March 21, 2021
Lacazette's shot is deflected in and the deficit is just pic.twitter.com/b3CLXnZhQe
This match is crazy
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) March 21, 2021
A second West Ham own goal and suddenly Arsenal are only a goal behind pic.twitter.com/c5wCAoCjbb
Absolutely incredible comeback from Arsenal!
— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) March 21, 2021
Lacazette draws them level with less than 10 minutes to spare - time for a winner? pic.twitter.com/3YgfBYN2bV