Arsenal had looked unsteady on their feet after the Cole goal. almost like a boxer stumbling around trying to refocus but Cole and company could not take advantage, spurning good chances. Aaron Ramsey had suffered a knee injury and it was that injury that turned the game, Podolski replaced him and we had end product

Lukas Podolski came on with 25 minutes remaining and made a huge contribution to turning the score from 1-0 down to winning the game 3-1 in the end. We had dominated large parts of the game, had a considerable amount of possession but could not do enough to score the goals. There was nothing wrong with the speed of our game, our movement of the ball was very good but against the sea of Claret and blue shirts outside of their penalty area we found it difficult to come up with answers to put the ball in the back of the net.

I cannot count the amount of times early this season where I have banged on about the need of our attacking outlets back in our squad. Without those outlets, it is safe to say that we may have been in a bit of trouble.

Before the introduction of Podolski we had a team full of players attracted to the ball, the one player who wants to get in behind was presented with our best chance of the first half. Aaron Ramsey with yet another key pass found Theo’s darting run but his volley finish was pretty tame.

Typically our lack of possession into goals meant that West Ham who had been pretty toothless until that point were gifted the chance to punish us. Szczesny will be disappointed with his spill and Carlton Cole had the easy task of scoring from close range. It is incredible to think about how highly Cole was rated as a youngster, I thought he was dreadful yesterday.

Mark Noble was far in away the Hammers best player on the day and he helped push the home side on after the goal. West Ham had a spell where they could have finished off the game or at least put them in a far stronger position. Arsenal had looked unsteady on their feet after the Cole goal. almost like a boxer stumbling around trying to refocus but Cole and company could not take advantage, spurning good chances.

Aaron Ramsey had suffered a knee injury and it was that injury that turned the game, Podolski replaced him and we had end product.

How long would Arsene have waited before making a change if it wasn’t for Ramsey’s knee problem? Not long I’d imagine but who would have gone off? We’ll never know now.

It was soon 1-1 on Goalkeeping mistakes and 1-1 on the score sheet. Walcott checked inside and his left footed shot should have been easily saved but Adrian let the ball slip under his fingers and into the net. A massive let off and boost for an Arsenal team that had failed to win in the last four.

Only minutes later, Lukas Podolski crossed via a deflection from a West Ham player for Walcott to head in from close range. Usually at this point we naturally drop off and defend our lead but it was pleasing to see us continue to go for the throat. That said, if they scored on the break I reckon that line wouldn’t have been included here today.

Lukas Podolski had followed up Giroud’s knock down and his snap shot flew into the corner of the net. I love the way Podolski wrapped his foot around the ball, body shape correct to keep the ball low but still curling into the net with minimum fuss.

Oliver Giroud had missed a few good chances and could well be struggling with confidence in front of goal. He had one where he was put through on goal in the left channel and dragged his shot. It is something he needs to work on because I cannot remember that type of shot ever finding the net in the past instead being dragged wide.

His work for the team cannot be underestimated but he needs to get back amongst the goals.

Santi Cazorla’s rest away from the starting 11 seems to have done him the world of good because he was back to his quick feet shuffle best yesterday. It was the Santi that we have hardly come across this season since his return back from injury. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him replace Özil on Sunday with the German rested to the bench. Özil had created 8 chances against West Ham which is incredible.

Chelsea beat Swansea 1-0 and Manchester City pushed Liverpool down to 4th with a 2-1 win at the Etihad. So we go back top but the most likely challengers are no further away from us.

Next up a tough trip to Newcastle United on Sunday.