Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could have been forgiven for any feelings of trepidation when they hosted an Arsenal team seemingly with the bit between their teeth in pursuit of a first title in 22 years.
The Gunners came within inches of scoring inside the opening 10 minutes when Mads Hermansen tipped away Leandro Trossard’s header, before the Belgian’s second attempt cannoned off the post.
Konstantinos Mavropanos then did well to block Riccardo Calafiori’s glancing header from Declan Rice’s free-kick, with the Hammers defence kept firmly on their toes.
However, not all was going to plan for Mikel Arteta’s side after Ben White was taken off injured, replaced by Martin Zubimendi following a challenge with Crysencio Summerville.
And with Rice surprisingly shifted to right-back, the Hammers sensed an opportunity to strike first through Summerville, who surged forward before firing wide.
The hosts ended the half encouragingly, as David Raya made a fine save to push away Taty Castellanos’ header after the Argentine was superbly picked out by Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the end of an absorbing first half.
Arteta made another tactical reshuffle ahead of the restart by introducing Cristhian Mosquera for Calafiori and allowing Rice to return to midfield, but that could not prevent the Gunners from making a sluggish start to the second half.
The scrappy nature of proceedings definitely suited West Ham better, and substitute Pablo almost gave a huge boost to their survival aspirations when he prodded wide from El Hadji Malick Diouf’s enticing cross.
Espírito Santo’s side had an even better opportunity to take the lead when Raya made a superb point-blank save to deny Mateus Fernandes, as Arsenal’s title hopes flashed before their eyes.
That would prove to be a defining moment, as Trossard netted his first goal of the calendar year with a deflected close-range strike from Martin Odegaard’s cut-back, keeping the PL title within their clutches and opening the trap door a little bit further for West Ham.
There was still time for some agonising late drama, as Callum Wilson fired home at the death to initially give the hosts a potentially crucial moment, but Pablo was penalised for a foul on Raya and Arsenal held on for three dramatic points.
It was a crushing blow for the Hammers, who remain a point adrift of Tottenham, having played a game more than their rivals in the fight for survival.
Meanwhile, these three points for Arsenal cap off a wonderful week for the Gunners, whose dreams of a PL and UEFA Champions League double remain well within their grasp.