West Ham 1-3 Arsenal: Theo Walcott Brace Gets Gunners Back To Winning Ways
Arsenal reclaimed top spot in the Premier League thanks to Theo Walcott's second half double and a Lukas Podolski strike that downed London rivals West Ham United at Upton Park. The hosts had led through Carlton Cole.
Hammers midfielder Mark Noble was first to work Wojciech Szczesny in the visiting goal, forcing the Pole to palm away a free kick. This followed a start where the visiting defence had to deal with a flurry of crosses.
Spanish stopper Adrian kept out a powerful Santi Cazorla header on 15 minutes when West Ham failed to fully clear their lines from a Gunners corner. Early home side pressure quickly dissolved in customary waves of pressure from Arsene Wenger's team.
Carlton Cole gave the Hammers some rare respite with hold-up play that invited Mohamed Diame to sting the palms of Szczesny with from long range. Walcott then fired wide on 25 minutes after Aaron Ramsey's chipped through-ball and a clever run.
Another Cazorla attempt flew wide before Olivier Giroud dragged off target for Arsenal. Big Sam was then forced into a change as James Collins hobbled off with what looked like a calf strain. Razvan Rat replaced him, so George McCartney moved infield.
Mikel Arteta struck wide before the break and Szczesny spread himself well at the other end to deny Kevin Nolan. Carlton Cole poached a Hammers goal less than a minute into the second half. Szczesny spilled another Nolan effort straight to the target man and he tapped in.
Jarvis also worked the Arsenal number one after good work by Noble. Joey O'Brien then glanced a header wide from a lovely Diame centre. Carlton Cole went close to doubling West Ham's lead, but sidefooted a Razvan Rat cross off target at the back post.
Adrian in the home goal distinguished himself on the hour with an outstanding double stop from Cazorla and Mesut Ozil. The Gunners lost top scorer Aaron Ramsey, so Podolski returned from a hamstring problem as a substitute.
Walcott levelled for Arsenal with a quarter of the game to go as his low shot found its way through defenders legs and under Adrian. England winger Walcott completed the turnaround moments later when he headed in Podolski's cross that took a nick off James Tomkins.
Germany forward Podolski then tried his luck himself, but Adrian parried at a tight angle, but marked his comeback with a goal 12 minutes from time. Giroud's hold-up play teed him up to finish with the outside of the boot.
The Gunners simply ground down their stubborn hosts, who have dropped into the relegation zone because of results elsewhere. A first win in five attempts is a welcome Arsenal tonic. Sam Allardyce meanwhile feels the pressure cranking up on him again.