<p>Arsenal lost 2-0 at West Ham on Thursday, denying them a chance to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League, while Tottenham lost a thrilling six-goal match against Brighton.</p>
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<p>For the second year in a row, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners were the top team at Christmas, but at the halfway point of the season, they are two points behind leaders Liverpool.</p>
<p>The runners-up from the previous season controlled possession at the Emirates but were unable to muster any forward momentum against the methodical visitors, who were led in goals by Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos, a former Arsenal player.</p>
<p>After Jarrod Bowen’s assist, Soucek scored the first goal of the match from close range in the 13th minute. The goal was verified after a protracted VAR examination to determine if the ball had left the play.</p>
<p>The half-hour mark saw a brilliant reflex stop from West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola against a header by Bukayo Saka as Arsenal pushed forward in waves.</p>
<p>As the clock approached halftime, the England winger struck the post from a tight angle, but Arsenal trailed at the break even though they had almost three-quarters of the play.</p>
<p>The Gunners started the game with a goal to respond, but Mavropanos’ bullet header from James Ward-Prowse’s corner struck the crossbar, leaving them down 2-0.</p>
<p>Gabriel Jesus had a great chance to beat Areola with a header, but he missed it, and then he had another fantastic chance with his head at the back post.</p>
<p>Arsenal kept attacking the opposition goal, but they were unable to get through. If Said Benrahma had converted a late penalty, the situation may have been worse.</p>
<p>With a game remaining, Manchester City is three points ahead of the Gunners, who now sit in second position with 40 points after their defeat. Aston Villa is one point behind them.</p>
<p>In light of their domination, Arteta thought his squad deserved more.</p>
<p>He told the BBC, “We want to be at the top and today we are very, very disappointed.”</p>
<p>“We dominated the game so thoroughly. We are in a really advantageous situation. It’s a dismal night today. We need to prepare ourselves for a crucial matchup with Fulham.</p>
<p>The guys made a tremendous effort, he continued. Although it’s challenging in the locker room right now, we have another game in two days. This is football; there are things we need to work on.</p>
<p>Manager David Moyes of West Ham praised his team’s ascent to sixth place in the standings.</p>
<p>He said to Amazon Prime, “We are not one of the top teams.” “We’re working to strengthen the team. It’s fantastic that West Ham is in Europe (they won their Europa League group).</p>
<p>Drama involving the Spurs</p>
<p>Tottenham, the early front-runners this season, lost 4-2 to Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton, although they threatened an incredible comeback from a 4-0 deficit. Nevertheless, they are still in fifth place.</p>
<p>After Joao Pedro made a darting move near the perimeter of the penalty box, Jack Hinshelwood finished with devastating force to put the home team ahead.</p>
<p>Pedro made full advantage of the penalty spot in the 23rd minute to extend Brighton’s lead after Dejan Kulusevski was sent off for tugging on Welbeck.</p>
<p>After the intermission, Richarlison, a forward for Brazil, had the ball in the goal twice, but both times he was flagged offside.</p>
<p>Pedro scored a second penalty 12 minutes later, and Pervis Estupinan extended the advantage in the 63rd minute with a thunderbolt from 30 yards.</p>
<p>In the 81st minute, Alejo Veliz scored what seemed to be a consolation goal, but it inspired the visitors.</p>
<p>Spurs attempted to get through each time they flooded forward, and during nine hectic minutes of stoppage time, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg struck the post. Ben Davies headed home Pedro Porro’s long cross.</p>
<p>Brighton, nevertheless, managed to stave off the fierce siege and win all three points.</p>
<p>De Zerbi told the BBC, “I feel incredibly fortunate to be the coach of this team with these players.” “I am very happy with their enthusiasm; they are quite well-rounded.</p>
<p>“Remember that we are from Brighton. They forget we’re in Brighton sometimes. We are still Brighton, not Manchester United, Manchester City, Newcastle, or Arsenal.</p>
