Mesut Ozil scored one and set up another as the German helped to inspire Arsenal to a much-needed 3-0 win over London rivals West Ham.
With things not going our way in recent months this was a must-win game if we are to have any chance of finishing in the top four. It looked like some results might go in our favour, but late goals gave Spurs a dramatic 3-1 win at Swansea. Liverpool and Manchester City both dropped points though as we moved up one place to fifth.
With Petr Cech and David Ospina now both out injured, Emiliano Martinez started his first league game since 2014, but that didn't concern me as I rate the Argentine goalkeeper and think he has a bright future. However, what did concern me was the previous form of some of our so-called bigger players.
Ozil caught the eye and showed glimpses of brilliance against the Hammers and, although it wasn't the greatest of performances from us, he certainly played his part.
Alexis Sanchez, Mohamed Elneny, and Theo Walcott all sent efforts off target in a dull first half, while Manuel Lanzini and Mark Noble wasted chances at the other end.
Walcott also saw a shot saved by Darren Randolph and the West Ham shot-stopper also had to be alert in the closing stages of the first half. Hector Bellerin and Elneny both saw shots excellently blocked by the visitors' defence before Randolph denied Welbeck and later raced out quickly off his line to keep out Walcott.
Arsenal continued to try and push forward in the second half and only a superb last-ditch tackle by James Collins denied Ozil in the box. But the German international had better luck next time as the Gunners finally broke the deadlock after 58 minutes. Ozil made the most of a poor defensive clearance before taking a touch and curling a shot beyond Randolph from just outside the box. West Ham players appeared unimpressed at the award of the goal as they felt there had been a handball by Walcott and that Sanchez was offside in the goalkeeper's way.
Ozil continued to look lively as he set up chances for Danny Welbeck and Elneny, but neither of his team-mates were able to turn them into goals.
Excellent combination play from Sanchez and Ozil set up Arsenal's second and gave the hosts some breathing space. Sanchez back-heeled the ball back to Ozil before the German squared it for Walcott to score from close range after 68 minutes.
It really should have been 3-0 just moments later when a superb pass by Ozil found Bellerin, but the defender somehow shot wide when well placed in the box.
West Ham had a great chance to reduce the deficit through Lanzini, but the Argentine's effort from outside the box was excellently kept out by Martinez.
Arsenal had become the first Premier League side to score 100 goals in all competitions this season, although it didn't feel like it after the poor run of form we'd endured prior to this game and the draw against Manchester City.
But against West Ham we actually looked capable of scoring more goals and only a save from Randolph prevented Granit Xhaka scoring from long-range.
Arsenal had a shout for a penalty when Nacho Monreal went down under Collins' challenge, but nothing was given. It mattered little as two substitutes combined for the Gunners to score a third seven minutes from time. Moments after coming off the bench Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ran at the defence before passing to fellow substitute Giroud, who took a touch and curled home a wonderful strike.
The hosts were denied what looked a certain penalty in injury time when Sam Byram, who had already been booked, appeared to foul Monreal in the box, but it didn't stop Arsenal from looking good value for the win.
It wasn't the greatest display, but it definitely feels good to finally be back to winning ways in the league.
OPPOSITION VIEW
West Ham fans Adam Brown and Mike Benson were both left feeling disappointed, yet not surprised, by the poor showing from the Hammers.
"To be honest the game turned out exactly how I expected," said Brown. "Arsenal were under huge pressure to get a result and given the result at the London Stadium combined with West Ham's horrific run of form - it was bound to end up one way.
"In the second half, West Ham were simply poorly organised and sloppy. Arsenal seized their chances after being frustrated by a reasonable first half of defending. And of course Giroud scored, big surprise there!"
Benson added: "Tonight sums up our season, and shows the woeful state of our side. No passion, heart or motivation, with the Arsenal rookie keeper not once tested.
"Not being able to do the basic fundamentals that should be second nature. The insistence of Bilic to play a one dimensional style of game, and not being able to change things during the match to counter the opposition tells me that Bilic in my opinion is lacking as a top manager.
"Last season feels like a distant memory. No wonder one of our best ever players upped sticks and left mid term."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Although it won't drastically change what has largely been a failed season, the win over West Ham cannot be underestimated and at least gives us a big confidence boost going into the final months of the season.
The title is way out of reach and even breaking back into the top four would be a big ask, but we've given ourselves a chance at the latter. Other results mean we are four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City and with a game in hand and catching Liverpool also isn't impossible.
Things could so easily slip back the other way, so we need to make sure we are at the top of our game as realistically we need a maximum six-point haul from our back-to-back away games at Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough. Let's hope this can be the start of a decent winning run.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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