Arsenal – West Ham United

1. Join ESPNFC for live coverage of Arsenal vs. West Ham United in the Premier League. Kickoff is under an hour away. Team news to follow...

2. Arsenal team news: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Rosicky, Kallstrom, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud. Subs: Fabianski, Bellerin, Jenkinson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Sanogo, Akpom.

3. West Ham team news: Adrian, Reid, Tomkins, Jarvis, Armero, Carroll, Noble, Demel, Diame, Downing, Nocerino. Subs: McCartney, Vaz Te, Taylor, Jaaskelainen, C.Cole, J.Cole, Johnson.

4. So, to look at those teams in more depth; Szczesny, Koscielny, Rosicky and Giroud all return for Arsenal and Kallstrom makes his first start for the club.

5. Meanwhile, West Ham captain Kevin Nolan misses out through injury and is replaced by Antonio Nocerino.

6. Arsenal can go back into the top four this evening, for 24 hours at least, and the omens are good for them. In the last 11 Premier League games against West Ham they are unbeaten, and have won the last six.

7. Is Arsene Wenger's time coming to an end? Read Ian Darke's views on the legendary Frenchman <a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/13710?cc=5739" target="_blank">here</a>

8. Andrew Mangan from Arseblog believes tonight's clash could give the Gunners some much-needed momentum. <a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/arsenal/id/3798" target="_blank">His thoughts here</a>

9. The Premier League form table doesn't make pretty reading for Arsenal fans. Wenger's men are 16th following a run of just one win in 6. However, their home form has them 8th, and unbeaten in 6... that's slightly better, right?

10. Mind you, West Ham are fourth in the away form table with three victories and a draw in six. That's not bad going and Sam Allardyce might fancy his side's chances.

11. With Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing flanking Andy Carroll in attack, the Hammers' tactics seem obvious.

12. 1'

    West Ham kick off wearing white shirts and blue shorts.

13. 2'

    Giroud is involved early on the left flank and wins a corner after battling with Demel for a long ball from Arteta.

14. 3'

    Cazorla's corner is headed clear by Nocerino but only as far as Rosicky. However the Czech's shot is tame and into the arms of Adrian.

15. 4'

    Arsenal have made an energetic start, but West Ham are pressing them and willingly chasing in a bid to disrupt the flow.

16. 5'

    Diame, rather fortuitously, weaves his way into the box but upon realising where he is panics and shoots into Mertesacker who clears for Arsenal.

17. 6'

    A throw in by Armero is knocked on by Downing and Carroll battles with Mertesacker for possession. That particular dual could be interesting this evening.

18. 7'

    Arsenal are having trouble getting out of their own half at the moment. West Ham look comfortably in control but are struggling to really threaten the goal. Diame central to West Ham's early momentum.

19. 8'

    Carroll wins a free kick for West Ham in a promising situation, as he looks to bring down a long ball forward and is fouled by Koscielny. Clever play.

20. 9'

    Noble floats the ball into the box and on to the head of Carroll (who else?) but his knockdown is cleared and Arsenal break.

21. 10'

    It's Arsenal's turn to have a go with a free kick midway in the West Ham half now, after Noble trips Cazorla.

22. 11'

    Cazorla's free kick falls to Kallstrom on the edge of the box but he snatches at a volley, which falls to Podolski. However, the German is offside.

23. 12'

    Kallstrom tries to pick out Giroud in the box, but fails miserably and gives away possession. The lack of confidence throughout this Arsenal team is evident.

24. 13'

    Rosicky shows a great turn of pace and finds Podolski on the left wing who plays a superb ball across the face of goal. Giroud is off the pace though and doesn't connect.

25. 14'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Rosicky goes into the book for a late challenge on Diame.

26. 15'

    Jarvis shows opportunism to rob Sagna of possession and keep the ball in play before crossing for Carroll whose header is over. The forward appeals for a corner, but it is not given.

27. 16'

    West Ham have handled everything that has been thrown their way so far from a nervy Arsenal side. Any hopes of getting off the mark early are evaporating.

28. 17'

    Diame does well to break up an Arsenal attack and release Jarvis who beats Mertesacker and looks for Carroll with a left wing cross but Mertesacker heads behind for a corner.

29. 18'

    Downing's corner is put on a plate for Diame by Carroll, who is in acres of space, but he swings wildly and shoots over from close range. Big miss.

30. 19'

    Carroll is being given a warning by referee Kevin Friend after a heavy challenge. He is at the centre of everything at the moment.

31. 20'

    Now Carroll wins a free kick after being tripped by Arteta, who protests his innocence. Another chance to aim a ball at the big forward's head.

32. 21'

    Tomkins delivers and West Ham win a corner, conspicuously, which is taken quickly and headed behind by Giroud for another corner.

33. 22'

    Giroud clears again but West Ham continue to pile forward until Downing's mis-kicked cross drifts disappointingly out of play.

34. 23'

    Kallstrom attempts a ball forward over the top but gets it all wrong and slices it out of play, returning the initiative to West Ham. No flow from Arsenal yet.

35. 24'

    Now Giroud's heavy touch carries the ball out in the attacking third for Arsenal. West Ham's gameplan of sticking tight to the Gunners' attackers has them all over the place with no room to make their runs.

36. 25'

    Giroud gifts possession to West Ham again, the France international is being given no time or space and looks isolated.

37. 26'

    To their credit the Arsenal fans remain patient, although the support isn't too vocal from the home crowd.

38. 27'

    It has to be said that Nolan hasn't been a miss so far. Nocerino has slotted in well and is working in a nice combination with Diame.

39. 28'

    Giroud threaded through by Cazorla and goes one-on-one with Adrian, but instead of leathering the ball home to make sure he attempts a dinked effort which the goalkeeper saves.

40. 29'

    That was the Gunners' first clear cut effort of the evening and their best chance to get in front. Really wasteful.

41. 30'

    Podolski, ineffective on the left so far, tries his luck in field but finds no room there either and is forced off the ball as he runs at goal.

42. 31'

    Giroud tries to tee up Rosicky to shoot, who has been quiet, but the Czech can't quite connect.

43. 32'

    Arsenal are enjoying a period of pressure but West Ham are standing firm, Reid heading away a Sagna cross and Noble hooking away a lofted ball into the box.

44. 33'

    Rosicky's cross-pitch ball towards Podolski is well over the German's head and floats out of play. No creative spark from the Gunners to unlock West Ham.

45. 34'

    Armero's left wing cross looks to have won a corner but Sagna keeps it in and Arsenal move forward.

46. 35'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Nocerino is booked for a foul on Giroud.

47. 36'

    Downing's right wing cross is straight into the arms of Szczesny. The Hammers are still capable of threatening when they are attacking, but that has been less as Arsenal have found their feet in this game.

48. 37'

    A cheer of 'Come on Arsenal' erupts around the stadium but breaks into whistles as West Ham goalkeeper Adrian is accused of timewasting.

49. 38'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Matt Jarvis puts West Ham in front with a close range header after great work by Nocerino down the right wing.

50. 39'

    This will be a real test of Arsenal's character now if they are to fight back and salvage something. No one has distinguished themselves thus far. Time to stand up and be counted.

51. 40'

    Wenger has retreated to the bench and is watching proceedings nervously from behind his hand.

52. 41'

    Kallstrom attempts an effort from the left side of the area and draws a save and a corner from Adrian.

53. 42'

    Cazorla's corner doesn't threaten and is cleared by Adrian although Arsenal recover possession quickly.

54. 43'

    There is an urgency about Arsenal's play, but no proper spark of genius or turn of pace. They lack a cutting edge.

55. 44'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Podolski draws Arsenal level quickly, and importantly before half time. Downing's clearance is poor and Cazorla picks out the German in a crowded box allowing him to turn and shoot low beyond Adrian.

56. 45'

    Two minutes of time to be added.

57. 46'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2014/0415/oliviergiroudmissedfirstchancevwhufc0140415_275x155.jpg"> Olivier Giroud fails to connect with his first good chance.

58. 47'

    That's it for the first half. Arsenal have shown shoots of recovery, but too often they have been overwhelmed by West Ham. Improvement needed.

59. Not much in reserve for Arsenal this evening. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey the frontrunners to change something for the hosts and give them some much-needed spark.

60. Plenty of outstanding performances for West Ham to reflect on. Jarvis has been a real handful for Sagna, Nocerino has been a threat from deep and Diame looks to be returning to his best form.

61. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2014/0415/lukaspodolskiscoresvwhufc0140415_275x155.jpg"> Lukas Podolski scores Arsenal's equaliser against West Ham.

62. 46'

    Arsenal kick off the second half. No changes at the break on either side.

63. 47'

    As it stands, Arsenal remain fifth, a point behind Everton having played a game more.

64. 48'

    Downing finds room on the right and cuts in to shoot. The winger claims a corner, his shot clipping Arteta, but it isn't given.

65. 49'

    Diame shakes off the attention of Arteta easily before, optimistically, lining up a shot from long range which fails to trouble Szczesny.

66. 50'

    Reid goes down injured for West Ham and is slow getting back to feet after being caught by Cazorla.

67. 51'

    Demel turns cleverly to win a throw in for West Ham by the halfway line and gets some directions from Sam Allardyce as he waits to take it.

68. 52'

    Nocerino's early path through to Carroll in space is overhit and into the arms of Szczesny.

69. 53'

    Good work from Giroud down the right finds Rosicky in the middle and eventually Vermaelen on the left who wins a corner from Tomkins.

70. 54'

    Cazorla's corner is returned by Reid and back into the box to earn another corner off Tomkins.

71. 55'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> This time Cazorla's corner is partially away but Arsenal are allowed to put the ball back into the box. Giroud plucks the ball out of the air sublimely before firing past Adrian, much like he should have done earlier. Great finish.

72. 56'

    Mertesacker is down holding his cheekbone after colliding with Diame as they jumped for a header. He is ok though.

73. 57'

    Some fancy footwork from Arteta sets Rosicky into space but Reid steps up to cut out the ball through to Giroud.

74. 58'

    Some Arsenal momentum building now. A third goal would really take the game away from West Ham and give the hosts some comfort.

75. 59'

    Carroll almost gets the better of Koscielny, chasing down a right wing ball from Demel, but the French defender plays it back to Szczesny in time to evade the Hammers' forward.

76. 60'

    Giroud goes down dramatically on the edge of the box following a shove in the back from Armero. Free kick to Arsenal.

77. 61'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Diame is cautioned for dissent following that incident.

78. 62'

    Podolski's free kick is whipped in at speed but Adrian manages to parry it away from goal and danger.

79. 63'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Kallstorm dives in on Nocerino in the centre circle and is cautioned. Welcome to the Premier League.

80. 64'

    Cazorla goes close to adding a third from the edge of the box after a rapid counter-attack. The Spaniard is allowed the space and time to cut in before curling an effort narrowly wide.

81. 65'

    Great attacking play by Jarvis on the left wing is tracked well by Rosicky who deflects the cross to Kallstrom who clears.

82. 66'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2014/0415/oliviergiroudscoresvwhufc20140415_275x155.jpg"> Olivier Giroud rifles Arsenal in front against West Ham.

83. 67'

    Mertesacker wins a free kick after being tussled off the ball by Diame who is already on a booking.

84. 68'

    Arsenal looking more accomplished and increasingly in control of the game. Seems like only a matter of time before a third goal is added.

85. 69'

    Sagna attempts to win a corner following a spell of Arsenal passes which underline their growing confidence but a goal kick is awarded.

86. 70'

    West Ham beginning to enjoy a spell of pressure but without any real threat of creating a chance.

87. 71'

    Downing wins a free kick after being fouled by Vermaelen.

88. 72'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Rosicky, who has looked off the pace, is withdrawn for Aaron Ramsey.

89. 73'

    Noble's free kick is wasted, aimed at Carroll but straight into the hands of Szczesny. West Ham's obvious limitations in attack beginning to prove their undoing.

90. 74'

    Nocerino's stray pass is picked up by Vermaelen who attempts to bomb forward. Nothing comes of it but Arsenal retain the ball and try a more patient approach.

91. 75'

    Ramsey finds space open in front of him outside the box, but the shot shows clear rust and is high over the bar.

92. 76'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Some great passing interplay results in Podolski again finishing expertly from close range after West Ham are hypnotised and Ramsey cushion-headers Giroud's left wing cross into the path of the German.

93. 77'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ricardo Vaz Te and Joe Cole enter the fray for West Ham in place of Downing and Jarvis but it will take a gargantuan effort for the visitors to fight back now.

94. 78'

    Arsenal streaming forward confidently in numbers, and looking a completely different side to the nervous one which started the game.

95. 79'

    Joe Cole is unable to reach the ball down the right byline but does win a throw in from Vermaelen.

96. 80'

    It is West Ham's turn to look bereft of ideas and nervous going forward. Arsenal are harrying them all over the pitch now.

97. 82'

    Diame shrugs off Kallstrom but his ball to the left in the direction of Armero goes out of play.

98. 83'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Carlton Cole replaces Andy Carroll. West Ham now have a completely different front three to the one which started the match, and a far inferior one if truth be told.

99. 84'

    Carlton Cole almost has an immediate impact but directs his header from Nocerino's right wing cross over the bar.

100. 85'

     Podolski fouls Demel on the edge of West Ham's area and gives away a cheap free kick.

101. 86'

     Giroud tries to take on all comers down the left wing but fails to keep the ball and is tackled easily.

102. 87'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Carl Jenkinson replaces Cazorla as Arsene Wenger looks to shore up the win with minutes remaining. Cazorla has been near his best tonight dictating the pace of play.

103. 88'

     Jenkinson is involved immediately but his cross from the right is directly at Reid and easily cleared.

104. 89'

     Vaz Te tries to pick out Joe Cole in the box, but his cross-field pass is ridiculously high considering the height of his target. The ball is cheered out of play by the Arsenal fans.

105. 90'

     Four minutes to be added on as Arsenal look to climb back into fourth place.

106. 91'

     Ramsey is clattered to the ground by Vaz Te and wins a free kick.

107. 92'

     Ramsey attempts to play Giroud in on goal before having a go himself but his effort is saved by Adrian.

108. 93'

     Podolski is forced wide by Tomkins as he tries to shape for a shooting opportunity. In the build-up to that move Giroud was caught on his ankle and is limping.

109. 94'

     That's it. Arsenal comfortably had too much for West Ham and, despite looking nervous to start, showed good character to take the win but they must build on that now.

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