Arsenal displayed their impressive attacking qualities last night against West Ham and secured a convincing 5:1 home victory with goals from Podolski, Giroud, Cazorla and Walcott.
Arsenal was under pressure to close the gap to Everton and Tottenham after the 2:1 defeat against Chelsea. West Ham traveled to the Emirates Stadium after a 1:1 against Queens Park Rangers last weekend.
The Hammers started well and surprisingly took the lead after 18 minutes after a superb strike by Collison. Arsenal equalized just 4 minutes later after Podolski’s stunning 25 yard strike. Arsenal continued to play well and Podolski came to his second big chance right before the half-time, but Joey O’Brien cleared off the line. Giroud extended the lead just 2 minutes in the second half after he volleyed a Walcott corner past Jaaskelainen – 2:1 Arsenal. Arsenal started a goal festival in the following minutes. First, Giroud played a fine combinations with Podolski to set up Cazorla, who back-heeled the ball past Jaaskelainen. One minute later, Walcott finished a Podoloski’s low cross – 4:1 Arsenal! 3 minutes later, Giroud finished another Podolski set-up to extend the lead to 5:1 in the 57th minute. What a display by Arsenal! Midway though the second half, Potts injured himself and needed a 10 minute treatment break on the pitch before being stretched off the pitch. Refere Marriner added 12 minutes injury time.
Arsene Wenger said after the game: “West Ham defended very well in the first half, we looked dangerous but couldn’t finish our chances. We came out in the second half and attacked with tremendous pace. The injury to Dan Potts was the end of the game really but until that moment we played very well.”
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: “It was 10 minutes of genius. The encouraging thing for them was that we switched off for one corner and that lifted them. In the first half we defended exceptionally well but that 10 minutes blew us away.”
Arsenal will host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium and West Ham will travel to local rival Fulham on January 30th.
