Arsenal have dropped two more points in their quest for the English Premier League title in a 2-2 draw at West Ham United, as - for the second week in a row - they threw away a two-goal advantage.
The leaders were cruising towards restoring their six-point cushion over Manchester City, with Gabriel Jesus tapping home in the seventh minute and Martin Odegaard doubling Arsenal's lead with a volley three minutes later, but everything changed, as they conceded a sloppy penalty that Said Benrahma tucked away in the 33rd minute.
Needing points to stay away from the relegation zone, West Ham were transformed, although Bukayo Saka had the chance to restore Arsenal's two-goal lead early in the second half, only to blaze a penalty wide.
That miss looked even more costly moments later, when Jarrod Bowen volleyed in West Ham's equaliser in the 54th minute.
Just as at Anfield last week, when Mikel Arteta's team led 2-0, but ended up hanging on desperately for a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, there was a nervousness about Arsenal's play, as the pressure of winning a first title since 2004 intensifies.
They have 74 points from 31 games, with reigning champions Manchester City on 70, with a game less. The top two meet at The Etihad Stadium on April 26.
West Ham have 31 points from 30 games, four ahead of the relegation places.
Meanwhile, Manchester United's Antony scored and set up a Diogo Dalot goal to lead their injury-hit side to a 2-0 victory at Nottingham Forest, as Erik ten Hag's side climbed to third place in their quest for a berth in next season's Champions League.
United have 59 points from 30 games, three points in front of fourth-placed Newcastle United and six ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who have played 31 matches.
Steve Cooper's struggling Forest side, who are now without a win in 10 consecutive league games, are third from bottom, level on 27 points with 17th-placed Everton.
Antony scored in the 32nd minute at the City Ground, sliding in to poke home a rebound, after goalkeeper Keylor Navas's brilliant save kept out Anthony Martial's shot.
Dalot netted his first Premier League goal to put the game out of reach in the 76th, running onto a pinpoint through ball from Antony.
United are missing striker Marcus Rashford and defender Raphael Varane for a few weeks, while Lisandro Martinez is out for the rest of the season with a foot injury.
Reuters
