Gunners Hammer Hammers

A quick-fire double from Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini saw Arsenal close the gap on second place with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over West Ham.

The midfield duo added to Olivier Giroud's first-half opener and, although the hosts really should've been more clinical at times, some of the passing and movement on show was a delight to watch.

The Gunners are now just one point behind second-placed Manchester City, although that could all change before the day is over as Manuel Pellegrini's men prepare to face Burnley.

Arsenal, who have now completed the league double over the Hammers this season, were quick out of the blocks and some of the home faithful felt they should've been awarded a penalty inside the opening four minutes. Theo Walcott really should have got his shot away earlier before going down under a challenge from James Collins.

The Gunners didn't let that decision deter them as they continued to push forward with Alexis Sanchez's header forcing Adrian into a decent save.

At the other end, West Ham's best chance of the half fell to Kevin Nolan after 22 minutes. Matt Jarvis's cut back was met by the volley of Nolan but David Ospina was alert to the danger and saved the midfielder's effort.

Arsenal continued to have the better of the chances in the first half and only fine saves from Adrian kept the hosts out as the Spanish goalkeeper denied Aaron Ramsey and Sanchez.

Walcott also wasted chances to give Arsene Wenger's men the lead as he hit a tame effort straight at Adrian before later slipping as he tried to score a rebound, which ended in the England international slicing a shot wide.

Arsenal finally got the reward their dominance deserved in first-half stoppage time as a fine flowing move involving Ramsey and Mesut Ozil set up Giroud to smash a shot in off a post.

West Ham improved in the second half but failed to create too many clear-cut chances. Jarvis fired a shot over the bar for the visitors before referee Chris Foy had to be substituted with an injury and was replaced by Anthony Taylor.

The hosts should've put the result beyond doubt after 69 minutes when Ozil was left clear on goal. He really should of shot but instead the German international clipped the ball across goal. Theo Walcott then set up Ramsey but the midfielder sent his effort wide.

The Welshman had better luck nine minutes from time after playing a lovely one-two with Giroud and side-footing a shot beyond Adrian.

The Gunners were celebrating again three minutes later as Mathieu Flamini, who had only just come on as a substitute, scored his first goal for nearly a year. Fellow substitute Santi Cazorla sent a killer ball across goal for the Frenchman to tap home from close range. Arsenal nearly added a fourth late on but Adrian was on hand to deny Danny Welbeck.

Although it took Arsenal a while to kill the game off, this is a very positive result and exactly what the hosts needed ahead of their crunch Champions League tie at Monaco.

After the 3-1 first leg defeat at the Emirates it looked all doom and gloom for the London club, but the Gunners have since beaten Everton, QPR and now West Ham in the league. If you add to that the fine FA Cup victory away to Manchester United there is no reason why Wenger's men can't approach the second leg with confidence.

Yes, admittedly it is still set to be an uphill struggle but I certainly feel better about things than I did last month. If we can get an early goal in France who knows what might happen. An exit is expected by many due to the dire first leg but we must not give up hope just yet!

Two quick goals against West Ham suddenly turned a narrow lead into a comprehensive victory, so let's hope we can do more of the same against Wenger's former employers.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS