Tottenham will stay in the league! West Ham are in trouble after losing to Arsenal

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]They absolutely did stay in the game.

[00:00:01]Arsenal scored 11 goals here in the last two visits and it was only one that they managed against West Ham today, but it's no consolation to them because it's looking pretty bleak down there. Two games to go for West Ham United. They can get to a maximum 42. So Leeds, Forest, Palace all safe now. It's just West Ham or Spurs.

[00:00:19]I'm breaking it down. Spurs have got a game in hand which starts against Leeds tomorrow, but with that one point advantage with an 11 goal difference advantage on West Ham as well. They just Well, they know that um matching West Ham's points from this way in is going to be absolutely fine. Five is the maximum they needed a win and two draws right now. It might not be as as many as that.

[00:00:42]Um West Ham in effect have to be two points better than Spurs over this final stretch of the season. How do you see it, Ian?

[00:00:51]You know, I think I I didn't think Spurs were going to make it until I saw them play against Villa the other day and they were they were unbelievable. Especially the midfield in Palhinha and Gallagher. And I think just off of that performance alone, if they can replicate that then I think they'll be all right. I think that West Ham's problem is like Roy said, obviously there's lots and lots of games, but I think the Brentford game where they were very unlucky as well. Hit the post a couple of times. Hit the bar.

[00:01:17]And I think that's the game they should have focused this kind of energy on because then this game would have been like a luxury game for them. They needed to win the Brentford game and I think they missed that one. And then in the end Brentford ran away winning. And we saw that they've got the fight and the capability of taking Arsenal all the way to the end. And unfortunately it didn't happen, but um I think that's just the way it goes, I think. Does it feel too late for them, Roy? After 14 seasons in the Premier League? Yeah, it looks that way, doesn't it? And obviously the manager has showed a bit of class after the game. It is hard to front up when you've been beaten and it's a big loss for the club. Yeah, but they are certainly up against it. And especially with Spurs at home tomorrow to Leeds. Leeds being confirmed that they're staying up.

[00:01:53]>> [snorts] >> You know, you again you're not going to be dismissing their efforts. But how Leeds kind of turn up tomorrow, they'll be will be almost celebrating today the fact they've stayed up and they've got to turn up to Tottenham tomorrow. No, they'll be professional and obviously they've got a a very good manager.

[00:02:08]Yeah, it does look pretty good for Spurs now. Yeah. Certainly blowing a mighty sigh of relief, aren't they, Spurs, from here? Yeah, they are. But you'll also Spurs fans won't be getting too excited just yet because their home form this season's been disgusting.

[00:02:20]>> Haven't won at home since December. That gives West Ham a bit of hope.

[00:02:23]>> It does. And but I do believe with De Zerbi and he's just it feels like he's given them a bit of energy, a bit of impetus in midfield. You know, like you said there, right? And Bentancur as well in there with Paqueta and Gallagher.

[00:02:34]They've sort of fallen on a a way of playing. You know, Danso's done well at the back with Van de Ven. But pressure can do crazy things, so you don't know. But right now, I think Tottenham will be looking And they would have got a big lift today watching that and Of course. Of course. Talk sport with They're all all you know, Tottenham fans. But that's a really it's a big moment for them now. I think they'll be fine. Just got to get two wins. All to play for for Spurs against Leeds on the Monday Night Football tomorrow night.

[00:02:57]When we come back formation and tactics that they used today. They they have got a lot of success playing four at the back in in recent weeks. They did do the the three or the five against Manchester City and that brought them a point. And yes, it was four at the back against Brentford last week. But did you think when as the game went on that actually there was a chance they could actually get two strikers on, Pablo and Castillejo? He instead Pablo replaced Castillejo with Summerville and Bowen and and go with that attacking four, which has been quite successful for them. No, I think I'd it'd be really incorrect of me to to question that because if they if he scores, um, Fernandez, it's a it's a tactical masterclass.

[00:03:33]That's the difference, you know? And he went like for like and they stayed in the game because he's probably thinking also a point wouldn't have been the worst result today. It puts a little bit of pressure on Tottenham. So no, I think he got it right. I think the wingbacks were good. I think the three back three I thought Maupay again was magnificent.

[00:03:47]The amount of defending he did, both boxes heading it, clearing it for his own team.

[00:03:52]I thought he was excellent. You know, I'd like to have seen a little bit more of Jared if I'm honest and and some of who had some moments, but I think all in all they would have looked at that and thought to be in the game as late as what they were and just wait for that one moment like the boy said if Fernandez scores, then they'd probably end up winning the game, you know. So, no I I don't think he got it wrong today.

[00:04:09]>> have any questions on that?

[00:04:10]>> No, no, I'd agree. No, I think the the team shape and especially the wing backs getting them up the pitch. Yeah, obviously they lack quality and and you still have one or two of your star players to turn up. But they're down near the bottom for a reason. They're obviously lacking confidence and again a lot of defeats. But then you hope I think the manager small when they walk up the system we have whatever if we get that one opportunity which you kind of always kind of do in a game of football no matter how bad you can be and that was the big moment. We could be here till the cows come home, but when you get that chance, the manager and the staff will know that Fernandez if he takes that Yeah.

[00:04:43]then everything else in terms of the shape and the tactics would be spot on.

[00:04:47]So, I wouldn't be too critical at all.

[00:04:50]They stayed in the game, a bit of quality, couple of decisions that went against them and they had a big chance.

[00:04:55]The reason they're they're near the bottom is they don't take enough of them chances. Yeah, and I was watching it again the emotions for fans today West Ham at the uh it was it was a crazy feeling. And Tottenham would be happy I bet.

[00:05:06]Well, maybe. Tottenham would be happy I think. Some not all of them.

[00:05:09]Uh let's get some more reaction because um I'm very pleased to say we can speak live now to the Arsenal skipper Martin Ødegaard who's emerging the dressing room to speak live to us. Martin, give us an idea of uh the mood inside that dressing room right now.

[00:05:26]No, I think you can imagine. Uh it was a big moment uh and a big win. Um yeah, brilliant brilliant feeling, you know, in there after the game and um we had to dig deep. We had to really fight for it and yeah, we got over the line in the end. So, yeah, really really happy. So, is there a little bit of relief in there with the happiness as well, Martin? Because um crikey, you were living on your nerve in those final few minutes.

[00:05:49]Yeah, of course. I mean, we know what we're playing for. We know how how important today was and as I said, we had to dig deep. We had to wait for the goal for a while and obviously with the situation in the end of the game, it's a bit of relief there, but yeah, the main feeling is is just happiness and yeah, I'm proud of the team, proud of the effort and yeah, it was brilliant.

[00:06:10]You were watching a lot of it of course from the bench. What did you feel like your main duty was when you did get on the pitch?

[00:06:17]No, I thought we started the game really strong. Beginning of the first half, I thought we looked really good and dangerous, created a few big moments and then after that, I felt like they maybe took a little bit over the momentum of the game, got the game into what can I say? Their their way a little bit more.

[00:06:34]So, it was about getting that calmness on the ball and tried to make something happen. You know, they defend with five in the back and and it was really tight.

[00:06:41]So, it was about finding that moment and and yeah, we did in the end. So, really happy. Ian Wright, I just wanted to say congratulations Skip on coming on and doing the business. How's it been these last few games and preparing for these last few games cuz it's been pretty intense, especially this one being so tough and have to get it over over the line. How's it been?

[00:07:02]No, it's been amazing. Obviously, we we know what we're fighting for and we fight for the probably two biggest trophies, you know, in in club football and yeah, that's a privilege and and something we really enjoy and uh yeah, this is everything to play for and these are the best moments, you know, so we just enjoy it and uh and now it's time to get ready for the next one and go again, you know, so that's all we can do. So, definitely enjoying it.

[00:07:26]Martin, Jamie Redknapp will talk about the goal. Obviously, fantastic piece of play from you. You stayed calm in such an important moment. Just talk us through it.

[00:07:35]Yeah, as I said, I I thought we were struggling a little bit to to to generate something, you know, they were quite tight in the back there and defend it well, so yeah, just tried to get on the ball, you know, take it forward. Um was a nice little one-two with Dec, I think, and then yeah, found Leo in the box and he's always good there in those moments and uh always there for the big moments and again he delivers, so really happy for him as well.

[00:07:59]What was it you took those two, three touches as you arrived into the box just to give Leandro Trossard that time to just reverse and then you can play it to him nicely? Yeah, no, I think that was crucial. Um I saw him and I heard him shouting for it, but uh I needed to get a better angle and um yeah, I managed to do to do that and um and he put it in the back of the net, so brilliant. And a great moment. Just want to ask you at towards the end, how much did you age in that last few minutes waiting for the VAR?

[00:08:28]I think I think it's worse, honestly, for for the people watching from from home and in the stands. When you're on the pitch, you're so focused and yeah, obviously it was a it was a big call and uh took a lot of time, so it's always a um a difficult situation to be in, but uh in the end I think we got the right decision and um and we got the win, so really happy. I'm interested to hear you say that, Martin, cuz we can see the replays, so we can get an idea whether