Lukas Podolski's goal in both halfs and another from Olivier Giroud gave Arsenal a much neeeded 3-1 victory over West Ham and move back above Everton to sit 4th on the EPL log table as the fight for the last Champions League spot in England continues.
Thou struggling for form in the league in recent times, the win over Wigan Athletics over the weekend to qualify for the FA cup final was a good boost for the Arsenal but their coinfidence and hope of a place in the Champions League next season was threatened when Matt Jarvis headed the Hammers in front but the Gunners put up a spirited fight to get back into the game and secure a priceless win.
Arsene Wenger made five changes to the side that started against Wigan on Saturday; Kim Kallstrom was handed his first start since joining the team in January, Koscielny returned to the team after being out due to injury.
Arsenal started slowly offering West Ham an early encouragement. Mohamed Diame squandered West Ham's first clear chance as he shot the ball over the bar when Andy Carroll's low cross found him totally unmarked in the six yard box.
Giroud however should have put the Gunners up with almost half an hour played as Wenger's side improved but his lazy flick with the outside of his boot was saved by West Ham's goalkeeper, Adrian.
They were punished minutes later. Nocerino's persistence run-in from the right-hand side created the chance, Szczesny double save from Nocerino's shot left the ball flying in the six yard area and Jarvis nodded in for his second league goal of the season.
Minutes later, Podolski levelled with a shot FA Cup finalists.
Santi Cazorla picked up Stewart Downing's weak clearance and found Podolski in the box, who the took a superb turn with his irst touch before drilling a left-foot shot across Adrian and into the bottom corner.
The goal lifted the mood around the Emirates Stadium and 10 minutes into the second half Arsenal went ahead thanks to a touch of class from Giroud.
The striker displayed a brilliant first touch from Thomas Vermaelen's long ball back into the box following a corner and with his second drove the ball through the legs of Adrian from just inside the corner of the six-yard box.
The goal sent further confidence soaring through the home side and rather than sit on their lead they went for a third goal to completely kill the game off.
Podolski saw a fierce free-kick beaten away by Adrian and the outstanding Cazorla was only inches wide with a swerving left-foot shot.
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