A Theo Walcott brace and the resurgence of Lukas Podolski saw the Gunners win 3-1 at Upton Park on Boxing Day to regain their number 1 position on the English Premier League table.
The first half saw both teams have a couple chances. The pace of Theo Walcott up and down the right hand side created a few chances for the Gunners throughout the first half but their efforts led to no goals as striker Olivier Giroud missed a number of chances.
The match had its first breakthrough 47 seconds into the 2nd half when West Ham’s Kevin Nolan ripped a shot from the left hand side of the box, which was saved by Szczesny but landed at the feet of West Ham’s forward, Carlton Cole, who took full advantage and put it in. It was the breakthrough Sam Allardyce’s team needed, albeit against the run of play.
It seemed as though Aaron Ramsey tore his quadriceps, when he gestured toward the sidelines. Ramsey’s injury led to the entry of Lukas Podolski in the 65th minute; a move that immediately changed the face of the game.
A left-footed Walcott shot which squeezed past a diving Adrián made it 1-1 after Cazorla weaved his way into a crowded West Ham box and laid the ball off. Podolski was involved as Walcott calmly headed into the back of net to put the Gunners up 2-1, before he sealed the game with his own well taken goal after 8 minutes. It was Podolski’s first goal since returning from an injury he suffered in August.
With Liverpool losing 2-1 to Manchester City later on the day, the Gunners have now regained their lead at the top of the Premier League table. Manager Arsene Wenger will have to look carefully at his squad now as big games against Newcastle away, Cardiff at home, and Tottenham at home (FA Cup) lurk.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho is starting to feel drained at having to watch his Chelsea team hang on for scrambling victories despite dominating opponents, the manager said after Thursday’s 1-0 Premier League win over Swansea City.
The 2012 European champions were always in control at Stamford Bridge but only had Eden Hazard’s first-half goal to show for their superiority.
“They kill me every game,” said a smiling Mourinho after Chelsea climbed to third in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Arsenal.
“Every game I am tired at the end. At halftime we should all be relaxed with a comfortable score but time goes on, we didn’t score the second goal and you feel the opponent is keen to risk a bit more and put in a second striker and you are a bit in trouble,” he told a news conference.
“But the boys worked hard defensively and in the last part they looked comfortable and we had control of the game so it was a deserved victory and an important victory.”
Mourinho, who has bemoaned the lack of goals from his misfiring strikers all season, said German goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel was the reason why Chelsea did not produce a more emphatic score line.
“Today I can say the biggest responsibility for the lack of goals was the Swansea goalkeeper because he made three or four big saves,” said Mourinho.
“He played really well and also this time I complain about a big penalty decision so my words have changed a bit,” he added, referring to a foul on Belgium winger Hazard.
“We didn’t miss chances, Tremmel made fantastic saves. The first-half save from Eto’o was brilliant and the first save in the first minute of the second half from him was the same.
Brazil midfielder, Ramires picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and will be suspended for Chelsea’s home game against fourth-placed Liverpool on Sunday.