Luckily Vermaelen will only miss the Birmingham game and not the three league games that I was sweating about during the second half. Alex Song slotted back into central defence and Denilson stepped back to defensive midfield

Match Review – Arsenal 2 West Ham 0 – Premier League

Top of the league, a clean sheet and our sixth league victory in a row. Yet I was left with a bag of mixed feelings. I should be seated in a room with strangers saying the words ‘My name is Mean Lean and I am a spoilt Arsenal supporter’

I was thrilled with yet another early goal. Early goals are like London buses, you wait months for one and then two come at once. We started the West Ham game as we did in Hull City last week. Quick, sharp and focused.

There always seems to be a shock inclusion in the line up and this week it was Denilson, it was only a shock to me because Alex Song, Abou Diaby and Cesc Fabregas are in such fine form. Denilson’s endless running and assist with his shot kept him in the starting line up. It took only five minutes for the Brazilian to justify his inclusion. A good Arsenal move ended with a one-two between Bendtner and Denilson, the midfielder struck a shot like a center forward past Robert Green’s outstretched left hand.

Denílson Pereira Neves has scored 6 goals in 22 appearances so far this season, which is not bad going for a player who has been given the task stopping the opposition and helping out Alex Song rather than influence the game in the final third. This underrated hardworking team player only needs to add physical strength to his game which is only around the corner.

We could have witnessed the goal of the season after a string of one touch passes ended up with Nasri scooping a pass to Denilson who missed the acrobatic volley. Cesc was square of Denilson and had he have been Thierry Henry then we could have witnessed some more frustrated floor banging but you could forgive Denilson after scoring the first, his confidence would have been flowing through his veins.

Our passing was good and some of our moves were very pleasing on the eye but I felt at the time that we had eased off the gas. Arsene said after the game that we lost our urgency after the first goal. It was that problem that allowed Hull City to get back into the game last week.

As usual plenty of moves were broken down by a pass being a fraction incorrect or a run being made in the wrong area. As long as the second goal did not arrive then West Ham would always be in the game.

A minute before half time Thomas Vermaelen was caught a little too square on Franco and a hopeful punt forward saw the pair scamper after the ball, Franco fell to the ground like a sack of inferiorsspudds. Vermaelen had hardly made any contact yet it was enough to be sent off and a penalty awarded to the Hammers.

It is even more frustrating when you think back through the catalogue of penalties not given to us this season but this is something we have to deal with.

In truth, Tommy V should have dealt with the long ball sooner but he let it bounce and the rest was history.

Manuel Almunia has looked back to his best for the last few weeks came up with the goods when it mattered. Diving to his left to push Diamanti’s spot kick away.

ESPN then had their bone to chew and suck on for the rest of the game, Almunia stepped off his line a fraction to save it. Cue plenty of chewing and sucking from Jon Champion.

Goalkeepers have been doing this on pretty much every penalty, every week around the country.

Luckily Vermaelen will only miss the Birmingham game and not the three league games that I was sweating about during the second half. Alex Song slotted back into central defence and Denilson stepped back to defensive midfield.

What the sending off did do is give us the determination to focus again that was lost after Denilson had opened the scoring.

Abou Diaby had come on for Nicklas Bendtner just before the hour which I felt was a strange move given the fact that our front man would have had less support than he would have had before the sending off. Not only that but Bendtner’s work defensively is stronger than his Russian attacking partner.

Abou Diaby looked classy and dangerous when he came on. His ability to drop his shoulder and gain 10 yards in a split second is remarkable.

West Ham improved in the second half, using their extra man to their advantage. It allowed them to get more possession but they never really threatened us until Carlton Cole came on. We slowly wrestled back the advantage and we looked the more likely to score the next goal.

It took a while in coming but Cesc finally made and scored the second. His chip around Upson and run the other side was clever, Upson stuck up his hand and the penalty was rightly given. It looks like the Arsenal penalty ban has been lifted, we have been given some penalties in recent weeks.

Cesc slotted his penalty down the middle and three points were sealed.

Top of the league for now, lets all sit and pray for Liverpool and Blackburn to do us a favour.