Goals from Santi Cazorla and Danny Welbeck ensured Arsenal ended 2014 in winning style with a 2-1 win at London rivals West Ham.
Two goals in three minutes put the visitors in control before Cheikhou Kouyate's header ensured a nervy second half for the Gunners. Arsene Wenger's men are now unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions but remain outside the top four and behind Southampton, who they travel to on New Year's Day, on goal difference. It is an excellent result against a West Ham side that have been defying expectations this season and remain in the top six.
Arsenal almost made the worst possible start when former Gunner Alex Song appeared to give the hosts the lead after six minutes, only to see his effort ruled out for offside. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was unable to hide his frustration at the decision in his post-match interview. Song struck a low volley into the bottom corner but Diafra Sakho was penalised for standing in an offside position. Although Sakho didn't actually touch the ball, it was claimed he was in the eye line of the goalkeeper and the goal was chalked off, leaving Allardyce fuming.
When I first saw the goal, I genuinely believed Sakho had touched the ball and I can't be the only one, but the referee doesn't get the benefit of the replays that we get at home. It was a very hard call for the referee to make and arguments can be made on both sides as to whether or not it should have stood. I think many fans may admit that it is one of those that if it goes for your team you back the call or sit on the fence, but if it goes against your side you protest about it long into the night. Either way it was a very tough call but at 0-0 there was still plenty of the game to go so it can't really be used as an excuse.
The Hammers also had other chances to take the lead but they failed to make the most of their opportunities. The hosts should've taken the lead when Stewart Downing's ball over the top left James Tomkins in the box with plenty of space but the defender blazed his effort over the bar.
The miss proved costly as Arsenal broke the deadlock from the spot four minutes before the break. Cazorla was caught by the outstretched leg of Winston Reid in the box and the referee awarded a penalty despite the defender protesting against the decision. Alexis Sanchez missed a penalty in the 2-1 win over QPR on Boxing Day but was not given a chance to make amends on this occasion. Instead, up stepped Cazorla and the Spanish international to send Adrian the wrong way and turn the game in Arsenal's favour.
Arsenal doubled their advantage just minutes later after a good passing move ended with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain crossing low for Welbeck to tap in from close range. It was great to see the England striker, who had not scored since the win over West Brom at the end of November, back among the goals again and hopefully it can kick-start a positive run of goal-scoring form going into 2015.
West Ham reduced the deficit within nine minutes of the restart as Tomkins skipped past his man before crossing for Kouyate to head home with the help of a slight deflection. The Hammers were well and truly back in the game and with over half an hour left of play it was set to be a nervy finish.
Having seen us throw away a lead in the dying minutes in the recent 2-2 against Liverpool, it was only natural that nerves were again settling in among the Gunners' faithful and the rest of the match was going to be a huge test of character.
Arsenal almost restored their two-goal cushion soon after but Adrian did superbly to get a hand to Cazorla's effort and deny the visitors a third goal. Adrian came to the hosts rescue again when he somehow kept out Oxlade-Chamberlain's close-range header with a fine save before blocking Sanchez's effort with his feet. The former Betis goalkeeper proved his goalkeeping ability yet again when he kept out Cazorla's drilled strike and the Spanish midfielder then fired over the bar soon after.
West Ham tried to find an equaliser in stoppage time but Kevin Nolan's low strike was well held by Wojciech Szczesny in the visitors' goal. There was still time for the hosts to launch one final attack as Song's free-kick caused confusion in the Arsenal defence and left Szczesny back-pedalling. Fortunately for the Gunners, Enner Valencia sent his header over the bar to give Wenger's men their second 2-1 victory of the week.
The victory cannot be underestimated especially against an in-form West Ham side. At 2-1 we could've easily crumbled and conceded an equaliser but we held on for the win and hopefully we can continue this run of positive results in 2015. The New Year's Day fixture against Southampton is a totally different proposition. We lost the Capital One Cup meeting back in September but won the league meeting 1-0 earlier this month.
Southampton continue to defy the odds and are still riding high in the top four despite an exodus of key players over the summer. Ronald Koeman has done a sterling job so far and, apart from the recent 1-1 draw with leaders Chelsea, his side haven't dropped any other league points after taking the lead this season. That is brilliant work from Southampton and we will have to be at the top of our game to get a result.
It is a game we are very capable of winning but also one we could lose, so we can't afford any complacency. Every single player on the pitch will need to stand up to be counted to make sure we start 2015 with a bang.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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