Nervous Gunners Get The Job Done Against City Rivals

They were tired, jaded and nervous but somehow found a victory to keep their push for a top-four place very much alive.

And perhaps there was also a timely reminder for Arsene Wenger from two-goal hero Lukas Podolski about his qualities as a centre forward. The German’s two clinical finishes were the difference for Arsenal even though Wenger has continually insisted he is not a centre forward. His finishing looked deadly enough.

It was a night for some big characters and Podolski stepped up as did Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker to name but a few to prove that the FA Cup alone is not enough.

They looked nervous and tired at first but slowly victory may just have restored some much needed confidence after their dismal run.

They also somehow lifted themselves after a gruelling 120 minutes at Wembley clearly took a lot out of their legs. Arteta and Cazorla, who both played all of extra-time, looked as if they were running through treacle at times, but they kept going even if their legs were tired and sore from their Wembley exertions.

West Ham could see Arsenal’s frailties and they looked ready to feast on the air of tension at the Emirates as you could almost feel the nerves among the fans who had bothered to turn up.

The swathes of empty seats as thousands of season ticket holders stayed away – belied by the fact Arsenal announce tickets sold rather than attendance – just when their team needed their support most.

It left West Ham to apply all of the early pressure and every time Matt Jarvis or Stewart Downing reached the by-line to put over a cross, every Arsenal fan prayed it would not reach Andy Carroll. In contrast, West Ham were rarely troubled by Arsenal’s attack as Olivier Giroud looked flat and short of confidence.

West Ham could have easily had a penalty when Bacary Sagna’s clumsy challenge invited Jarvis to take a tumble but the West Ham winger was probably too honest for his own good and didn’t appeal.

Arsenal were as flat and as uninspired in the early stages as they had been against Wigan so their few moments could not be wasted. Cazorla’s clever through ball put Giroud through but the French striker tried to be too clever and went for a cheeky flick rather than a shot and West Ham keeper Adrian was able to make the save.

Arsenal just could not get going and West Ham took full advantage by taking a 40th-minute lead as they seized on the uncertainty in Arsenal’s defence.

Guy Demel got the ball forward, Antonio Nocerino made a strong run into the box but his shot was blocked at the near post, it cannoned up off Kim Kallstrom and Matt Jarvis was on hand to head home.

That sent West Ham’s fans into delirious celebrations as they began to taunt Arsenal because their own away record is so poor.Opener: Jarvis nods home to make it 0-1

Arsenal’s supporters didn’t see the joke and the nerves grew. But credit to the Gunners, they responded before half-time and West Ham’s lead lasted for all of four minutes. Cazorla, who never stopped running all night, played in a lovely through ball to Podolski who turned in the box and then slammed in a low shot into the far corner.

Oddly, Podolski didn’t even celebrate as maybe – just maybe – TV pundit Roy Keane mocked Arsenal for celebrating their FA Cup semi-final win. But the equaliser breathed new life into Arsenal and they came alive.

Kim Kallstrom, who was making his first start since December (apart from a game of beach football which caused his back injury), looked rusty at first but got better and his fierce shot was saved well by Adrian before the break.

Out came Arsenal for the second half and they slowly began to find an extra gear and bit of quality to win the game.

West Ham did not clear their lines after a 55th-minute corner, Thomas Vermaelen pumped the ball back into the box and Giroud belied his all-round game with a brilliant piece of control and strength.The striker brought the ball down perfectly, held off two defenders and lost Carroll before slamming the ball into the net to give Arsenal the lead. You could feel the tension ease as the fans celebrated.

It still wasn’t safe. But Arsenal made it that way after 78 minutes when Giroud put over a cross, substitute Aaron Ramsey headed it to Podolski who then slammed the ball into the roof of the net.

Game over and Podolski’s double may just have saved Arsenal’s season.