London Stadium, London – A late goal from Leandro Trossard in the 83rd minute was enough to separate the sides as Arsenal ground out a gritty 1-0 victory over West Ham United in Premier League Round 36 on May 10th, 2026. In a contest that featured dramatic VAR interventions, a disallowed goal, and a cancelled penalty, Arsenal showed remarkable composure to emerge with all three points from a fiercely contested London derby. West Ham, despite a spirited defensive display, were left to rue what might have been after two major decisions went against them in stoppage time.
Match Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Competition | Premier League – Round 36 |
| Result | West Ham vs Arsenal |
| HT Score | 0 – 0 |
| Date | May 10th, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 11:30 |
| Venue | London Stadium, London |
First Half: Arsenal Dominate but Fail to Break Through
The opening 45 minutes told a story of Arsenal control without a cutting edge. The visitors enjoyed a commanding 66% possession across the full match, and that dominance was especially evident in the first half. Arsenal completed 392 passes to West Ham’s 188, dictating the tempo from the first whistle.
Mikel Arteta’s side created 9 chances over the 90 minutes, with several arriving before the break. The Gunners registered 5 shots on target and 2 shots off target in total, but West Ham’s goalkeeper was in inspired form, making 2 saves some of them crucial.
West Ham, playing with just 34% possession, sat deep in a compact defensive structure. The Hammers created 7 chances of their own and registered 3 shots on target and 4 shots off target, threatening occasionally on the counter-attack. However, their best work came defensively, with 12 tackles and 4 shots blocked.
Second Half: Trossard Breaks the Deadlock
The second half followed a similar pattern. Arsenal continued to push for the opener, while West Ham remained dangerous on the break. The game grew increasingly physical, with both sides committing fouls 14 for West Ham and 12 for Arsenal and the yellow cards began to flow.
In the 83rd minute, Arsenal finally found the breakthrough. Leandro Trossard collected the ball on the left flank, drifted inside, and unleashed a precise finish beyond the West Ham goalkeeper. 1-0 to Arsenal. The away end erupted as the Gunners took a deserved lead.
Goal Breakdown
| Minute | Scorer | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 83′ | L. Trossard | Arsenal |
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VAR Drama
The fourth official signaled 5 minutes of added time but the match would not end quietly. What followed was a chaotic and controversial finale that saw two major VAR interventions.
| Minute | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 90+9′ | West Ham goal | ❌ Cancelled (VAR) |
| 90+12′ | West Ham penalty appeal | ❌ Cancelled (VAR) |
90+9′ – Goal Cancelled (VAR)
Deep into stoppage time, West Ham thought they had snatched an equalizer. The ball found its way into the Arsenal net, and the London Stadium erupted. But VAR intervened. After a lengthy review, the goal was cancelled for an infraction in the build-up. West Ham’s celebrations turned to anguish.
90+12′ – Penalty Cancelled (VAR)
Just three minutes later, drama struck again. West Ham appealed for a penalty after a challenge inside the Arsenal box. The referee initially pointed to the spot, and the home fans roared in anticipation. But once again, VAR intervened. After another review, the penalty was cancelled. The decision stood no spot-kick.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | West Ham | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Ball possession | 34% | 66% |
| Total passes | 188 | 392 |
| Offsides | 0 | 0 |
| Chances created | 7 | 9 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 5 |
| Shots off target | 4 | 2 |
| Shots blocked | 4 | 6 |
| Shots saved | 0 | 2 |
| Free kicks | 12 | 14 |
| Fouls committed | 14 | 12 |
| Tackles | 12 | 4 |
| Corners | 3 | 4 |
| Yellow cards | 3 | 4 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
Post-Match Reaction
Mikel Arteta praised his team’s composure amid the chaos:
“We knew this would be a difficult match. West Ham defend well, and their crowd makes it a hostile environment. But we stayed patient, controlled the game, and Trossard produced a moment of quality. The VAR decisions at the end created tension, but we held our nerve. That is what title contenders do.”
West Ham’s manager was furious with the officiating:
“I am lost for words. We had a goal disallowed, and then a penalty cancelled. Two major decisions in stoppage time that went against us. I have seen the replays, and I still do not understand why. My players gave everything. They deserved at least a point tonight.”
Leandro Trossard added:
“It was a tough game. They made it very difficult for us. But I saw a gap, I took the shot, and it went in. That is my job. The VAR drama at the end was crazy, but we stayed focused and got the three points.”
Looking Ahead
- Arsenal will celebrate a hard-fought victory in a hostile environment. The three points were secured through patience, quality from Trossard, and composure during a chaotic VAR-filled finale. The Gunners continue to demonstrate the resilience required to compete at the highest level.
- West Ham will feel utterly devastated. They defended heroically for 83 minutes, only to be undone by a moment of Arsenal quality. Then, deep in stoppage time, they saw a goal disallowed and a penalty cancelled. The sense of injustice will linger, but they must quickly regroup for their next fixture.
For Arsenal, this was a test of character passed with flying colors. For West Ham, it is a bitter pill to swallow — and a reminder that in the Premier League, fine margins and VAR decisions can decide everything.
Source: oddspedia