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Lacazette inspires Arsenal’s thrilling comeback against West Ham

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Lacazette inspires arsenal thrilling comeback aginst west ham

Arsenal came from three goals down to rescue a point in a stunning game against London rivals West Ham in the Premier League.

The Hammers raced into a three-goal lead at London Stadium through Jesse Lingard, Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek, who touched in a Michail Antonio header.

The visitors gave themselves hope when an Alexandre Lacazette effort went in off Soucek for an own goal just before half-time.

West Ham defender Craig Dawson turned in Arsenal full-back Calum Chambers’ low cross for another own goal in the 61st minute.

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And Lacazette completed the comeback with a thumping header from Nicolas Pepe’s cross, before both sides had late chances to win the game.

The result leaves the Hammers two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in fifth, while Arsenal move above Aston Villa into ninth.

Arsenal were second best in the first half and looked almost certain to lose further ground in the race for European places after a frantic opening.

At 3-0 down, they looked a beaten side but Lacazette inspired Mikel Arteta’s side to a point, hitting a volley which took a deflection off Soucek for Arsenal’s opener.

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Lacazette saw his dinked attempt cleared off the line by Issa Diop seconds after the restart as the Gunners dominated in the second period.

After Dawson turned in Chambers’ cross to further cut the deficit, the France striker rose highest to level the game late on.

A defeat would have opened up a 10-point gap between the two sides and arguably end Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for a European competition through a top-six finish.

And while questions will be asked about their poor first-half performance, Arteta will take heart from his side’s superb reaction against a disciplined West Ham.

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David Moyes’ Hammers looked certain to finish the day level on points with Chelsea with Lingard starring as the Hammers raced into a three-goal lead.

The Manchester United loanee opened the scoring with a stunning volley and just 98 seconds later set up Bowen with a quick free-kick, as the winger’s strike went through Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno.

Soucek seemed to have given West Ham total control but even as Arsenal’s comeback picked up steam, the hosts created regular openings.

Antonio diverted Said Benrahma’s cross onto the base of the post and Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney blocked a goal-bound effort from Bowen with the score at 3-2.

West Ham have not finished above Arsenal in the league since 1985-86, but remain seven points ahead of the Gunners.

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A European place in any form would be a significant achievement for a club that finished only five points clear of the relegation zone last season. Despite the disappointment of dropping two points on Sunday, a top-four finish remains a possibility with nine games to go.

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