Theo Walcott's brace helped Arsenal to a 3-1 victory as they came from behind to secure three points and rise to the top of the table. Carlton Cole gave the hosts the lead immediately after half-time before two goals in three minutes from Walcott turned the game in Arsenals favour. Lukas Podolski secured the victory 11 minutes from time on his return from injury. Arsenal got the first real chance of the match in the 26th minute when Ramsey flicked the ball over the top of the defence to Theo Walcott, who volleyed his shot past the wrong side of the post. In the 32nd minute Arsenal pressed forward again with Mesut Ozil cutting the ball back to Santi Cazorla on the edge of the area who fired his shot narrowly over the bar. They had another chance shortly after when Giroud was played through on goal but he dragged his shot wide. Mikel Arteta fired a low shot wide of the goal minutes before half-time after Cazorla's poor free-kick fell to him after hitting the wall. At the other end, a cheeky free-kick from the Hammers gave them a chance but Nolan couldn't connect with the ball. Arsenal had a great chance in added time when Gibbs drilled a low ball across the face of goal but Olivier Giroud couldn't get the decisive touch. At the beginning of the second period West Ham took a shock lead. Szczesny couldn't hold onto Nobles driven effort and Carlton Cole poked home the rebound. The Hammers then had a golden opportunity as Diame whipped the ball into O'Brien but he couldn't direct his header towards goal. Minutes later an early cross found Carlton Cole who flicked the ball past the post. Cazorla had an effort cleared off the line before Adrain made a brilliant double save to keep the visitors at bay on the hour mark. In the 68th minute Arsenal finally found a goal as Walcott cut in and his tame effort rolled past Adrian who should've done better. The Englishman added his second shortly after with his head, his 4th goal in 3 matches at Upton Park. Lukas Podolski then had a chance to extend his sides advantage when the ball was flicked over the top to him but Adrian saved at close range. However shortly after he did find the net, firing a low shot into the corner on his return from injury. The victory for the Gunners ends a disappointing run of results and lifts them above Liverpool, while West Ham drop into the relegation zone.
Josh has had work featured in the Evening Gazette and on Newcastle United website. He is a Multimedia Journalism student at Teesside University and runs a successful sports blog. He also enjoys films, comics and TV, writing about anything he can. Josh has recently started writing his first of what he hopes will be many books.
