Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
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STAY ONLINE: Get involved in our post-match show with Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes. It's coming up right now on Arsenal Player...
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THE GAP CLOSES: Arsenal now trail Spurs by four points and have a vastly superior goal difference with 15 games to play. The race is very much on
Full Time IT'S ALL OVER AT THE EMIRATES: Four goals in 10 crazy second-half minutes won the game for Arsenal after Podolski had matched Collison's first-half opener
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SANTOS GOES FOR GOAL: He hits it well but the shot flies wide. Looks like Arsenal will have to settle for five
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WELL DONE RAMSEY: Demel tries to muscle his way past the Welshman but Aaron stands up strong and ushers the ball out for a goal kick
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GIBBS SLIDES IN: And concedes the throw as West Ham come forward with Demel on the right
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CAZORLA SHOOTS: Santi finds space inside the box but West Ham have so many defenders in there and that shot hits one of them too. Here comes Santi again... and that's deflected wide
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FANS LEAVING: They know the job is done and will head home with their team just four points off the top four
Top Comments:
‏@RobPerry15 on Twitter says:
Superb display by the Podmeister, unplayable at times!!! #AFCvWHU Good to see the team bounce back!!!
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WALCOTT! Ooh, that looked goalbound but it smacks against a defender. Now the Ox comes forward, he goes it alone and that's also blocked
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GOALMOUTH SCRAMBLE: Gibbs and Wilshere are both involved but Jaaskelainen eventually claims a cross
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#AFCvWHU: That's the hashtag to use if you're on Twitter. Have your say - we'll publish a selection of your comments on this page
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JAASKELAINEN ERROR! He gets closed down by Wilshere, the ball runs to Walcott and he tries to chip into an empty net... but the keeper gets fingertips to it and can gather the rebound
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MASSED DEFENCE: That's West Ham's policy now with just Cole further forward. Damage limitation for the visitors
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
"I'm sure the likes of Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain will be wanting to score more goals here"
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CORNER TO ARSENAL: Gibbs wins it and Santi will take it... but West Ham clear
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TWELVE ADDED MINUTES: And that's largely down to Potts' injury of course
Top Comments:
@BarrettPitner on Twitter says:
Can't remember the last time I saw 12 minutes of extra time #AFCvWHU
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DIAME DOES WELL: He goes past Ramsey and then catches Mertesacker, who really felt that one
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SANTI WITH THE CORNER: That's flicked on by big Per but it's headed away
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GOAL DIFFERENCE? This is a really good chance for Arsenal to take advantage with West Ham depleted. They've got about 10 minutes left including stoppages
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FREE-KICK TO WEST HAM: It's half-cleared and lifted back into the box where Tompkins miskicks. The flag was up anyway
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MEANWHILE AT SWANSEA... Chelsea's Eden Hazard has been sent off for kicking a ball boy
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WILSHERE SHOOTS: And Jaaskelainen can only palm that away, but no Arsenal player is on hand to net the rebound
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WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY: And to be honest it's not much of a contest now. Ten against 11 and Arsenal four up
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NO MORE SUBS: West Ham have used all three so they will finish the game with 10 men. Best of luck to you, Dan Potts
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POTTS IS STRETCHERED OFF: He gets a warm ovation from the crowd - let's hope he's not too bad
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POTTS STILL GETTING ATTENTION: They won't move him until they've made him comfortable. The other players keep warm by knocking the ball around. Cole and Diame chat to Walcott and even the ref is doing keep-ups
Top Comments:
@itschriscarroll on Twitter says:
if the game has stopped for 10 minutes it's probably serious. no idea what happened but hope Potts is ok #AFCvWHU
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POTTS IS STILL DOWN: He's surrounded by medical staff. Let's hope he gets better soon
73
Substitution FINAL CHANGE FOR ARSENAL: Giroud won't get his hat-trick, he's coming off. On comes the Ox
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THAT'S A BAD INJURY: Daniel Potts, the sub, has gone down and he's staying down. A stretcher comes on and he is getting lengthy treatment
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Substitution WEST HAM CHANGE: Diame comes on (to a loud cheer from the home fans!) and off comes Vaz Te
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Substitution POLDI IS COMING OFF: He gets a standing ovation and deservedly so. On comes Santos in his place
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NOBLE STRIKES... but it's headed clear and Arsenal can break. It's three against one! But Walcott's pass is intercepted and a gilt-edged chance goes
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GIROUD PENALISED: That looked like a fair challenge on Nolan but the ref has given a free-kick. A glimmer of hope for the visitors and Noble fancies this...
Top Comments:
@jfunkryan on Twitter says:
When Arsenal plays carefree, they really are the most brilliant English team. #AFCvWHU
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UP GOES GIROUD: He's on a hat-trick, of course, but is beaten to that header. West Ham have regrouped and Arsenal have dropped slightly
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SANTI WITH THE FREE-KICK: And that bounces just in front of Jaaskelainen but he holds onto it
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A LULL: Mind you, the game couldn't maintain that kind of pace. Arsenal's fans are still grinning at each other at what they've just seen
Top Comments:
@Yannick_FGOD on Twitter says:
This is the real arsenal. That's how i like to see them play. I LOVE ARSENAL #AFCvWHU
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#AFCvWHU: That's the hashtag to use if you're on Twitter. We'll publish a selection of your comments on this page
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HOPE YOU'RE ENJOYING THIS: If you want to have your say after the game, you can get your comments in now at www.arsenal.com/studio
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Substitution COLLISON COMES OFF: And on comes Potts
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Substitution OFF COMES REID: And on comes Diarra
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IN COMES THE CORNER: But it comes to nothing and now West Ham will make a double substitution
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ARSENAL KEEP COMING FORWARD: Gibbs opts not to shoot, he finds man of the moment Podolski and West Ham are forced to concede the corner
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Substitution OFF COMES VERMAELEN: And on comes Koscielny. That clash with Ramsey is obviously taking its toll
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FOUR GOALS IN 10 MINUTES! And to think Arsenal were struggling at times in the first half... West Ham have been caught cold since the interval. Those half-time team talks are certainly making a difference
Top Comments:
@brian2503 on Twitter says:
This is unbeliavble! Sensational! Every attack is a goal!!! Giroud!!! 5-1 Arsenal!! Podolski is involved in everything! #AFCvWHU
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WHAT A CRAZY SECOND HALF! It's yet another assist for Podolski - that's three to add to his stunning goal - and this time Giroud is there to apply the finishing touch from Poldi's low cross
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GOAL! - Olivier Giroud 5 : 1 GIROUD GETS ANOTHER! AMAZING!
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WEST HAM IN DISARRAY: There's a half-chance though as Cole forces a save from Szczesny. Concentrate, Arsenal!
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ARSENAL ARE RUNNING RIOT! Once again it's Podolski who gets down the left and his cross is inch-perfect for Walcott, racing in at the far post to finish clinically
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GOAL! - Theo Walcott 4 : 1 WALCOTT MAKES IT FOUR!
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WELL DONE POLDI! Super play from the German, finds Giroud, collects the return pass and squares for Cazorla, who clips the ball into the net with his heel. Lovely move!
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GOAL! - Santi Cazorla 3 : 1 YES! IT'S CAZORLA FOR ARSENAL!
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SANTI FINDS THEO... that's a brilliant crossfield ball and Walcott takes it in his stride, but he's crowded out as he tries to get his shot away and West Ham can clear
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ARSENAL IN CONTROL: West Ham will look to profit from a set=piece but at the moment it's all about containment for the visitors. Arsenal are probing and full of confidence
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ATTENDANCE: 60,081
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RED ARMY! RED ARMY! The home fans are right behind the team now and this is more like it from the Gunners. Crisp passing, intelligent movement, good tempo... they have turned it around
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NEAR-POST FINISH! Walcott swung in the corner, Giroud ran to the near post to fill the space left by Mertesacker and Jaaskelainen could only help his shot into the net!
Top Comments:
@x_Chum87_x on Twitter says:
Good finish by Giroud! #AFCvWHU
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GOAL! - Olivier Giroud 2 : 1 YES THEY CAN! IT'S GIROUD!
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PRESSURE: Another corner to Arsenal. Can they make something of it?
Kick Off OFF WE GO AGAIN: Arsenal are straight on the attack and it's a corner after a desperate clearance from inside the six-yard box. Good start
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STAY ONLINE: You can watch a special half-time feature here on Arsenal Player and join the debate on Twitter at #AFCvWHU. I'll be back for the second half after warming up my fingers
Half Time ALL SQUARE AT THE BREAK: Two fine goals, one from Collison to give West Ham the lead and an even better strike from Podolski to equalise. Both teams have had chances - this could go either way
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...WONDERFUL SAVE! Brilliant effort from Cazorla but Jaaskelainen flies across goal to palm the ball away. Giroud tries to net the rebound but West Ham clear
Top Comments:
@rohan3ranavade on Twitter says:
What a free kick, what a save #AFCvWHU
45
FREE-KICK TO ARSENAL: Good ball from Ramsey to Cazorla and he is pushed over by Nolan. A yard outside the box, right-hand side of the box. Santi is over it...
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THREE MINUTES ADDED ON: And we are just about into them now
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COLE A HANDFUL: He is giving Vermaelen and Mertesacker problems and you certainly would not rule West Ham out of this. Arsenal have had some pressure but they have not dominated
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KOSCIELNY WARMING UP: Vermaelen is injured now, he got a whack from Ramsey as he cleared that Cole shot off the line
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Yellow Card VAZ TE IS BOOKED: That's for kicking the ball away in frustration after he was flagged offside
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OFF THE LINE! Sagna has Cole and Taylor to deal with at the far post, the ball falls for Cole and he clips it over Szczesny... but Ramsey and Vermaelen get back and it's hacked off the line!
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SANTOS WARMING UP: That will be precautionary in case Gibbs is still struggling. Here's Cazorla with the shot... but that rolls wide
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WASTEFUL FROM RAMSEY: He saw Cazorla and Walcott but just overhit the diagonal ball as Arsenal counter-attacked well
Top Comments:
@smnmls on Twitter says:
Walcott, Gibbs and Wilshire looking good for Arsenal tonight! #arsenal #AFCvWHU
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STILL ON TOP: West Ham are getting pushed back as Cazorla and company pop the ball around in the final third. Sam Allardyce won't be pleased about that
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ARSENAL PRESSURE: Gibbs does so well to get into the box and Giroud finds him with a deft pass but Podolski can't convert his cut-back as O'Brien clears off the line. Now Walcott finds space but his cross is too deep. Promising signs though
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
"Gibbs could have had a shot himself there"
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#AFCvWHU: That's the hashtag to use if you're on Twitter. Have your say - we'll publish a selection of your comments on this page
Top Comments:
@ZachA7ack on Twitter says:
Walcott looks in the mood today, playing great. #AFCvWHU
34
WILSHERE ON A RUN: He jinks past one, gets clipped, stays on his feet but can't get enough in the shot. He wants the free-kick as the advantage came to nothing but the ref says no
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GIBBS NEEDS TREATMENT: He goes off the pitch by his own goal but looks OK now
32
THAT WAS CLOSE: Taylor's inswinging free-kick evades everyone but Cole was close to turning it past Szczesny. West Ham are such a threat from those set-pieces
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POLDI IS FURIOUS: Demel appears to handle the ball but the ref can't see it and West Ham get the throw in. He has words with Lukas
Top Comments:
@momo_alam on Twitter says:
Podolski is so pumped up for the game #AFCvWHU
30
WALCOTT ON THE CHARGE: Theo's pace takes him past O'Brien, he opts not to shoot and tries to pick out Giroud but that's hacked clear
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BRILLIANT FROM SAGNA: Cazorla's ball to Sagna is cut out by Vaz Te but he can't counter-attack thanks to a fine sliding challenge from Arsenal's right back
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
"Arsenal are moving the ball well at the moment. We're winning the individual battles"
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SANTI COMING ALIVE: Cazorla is showing some neat touches in midfield, and Podolski is brimming with confidence after his goal - but it's still pretty even here
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VAZ TE CATCHES PER: And the big German wasn't happy with that. They have words as Szczesny prepares to take a goal-kick
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CORNER TO WEST HAM: And again the visitors win the header - this time it's Vaz Te who gets to the ball first. Arsenal have to tighten up from set-pieces
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IF YOU THOUGHT COLLISON'S WAS DECENT... that was even better. Suddenly the atmosphere has been transformed at the Emirates
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STUNNING STRIKE FROM PODOLSKI! How Arsenal needed that! Wilshere found the Germany forward 25 yards from goal and he unleashed an unstoppable shot past Jaaskelainen. That's more like it!
Top Comments:
@sudhirkapoor82 on Twitter says:
What a goal by Podolski #AFCvWHU
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GOAL! - Lukas Podolski 1 : 1 MAGNIFICENT!!!
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NO TEMPO: Arsenal made a fast start but their lack of confidence is clear. The crowd try to get behind them - that's encouraging. Lots of time to turn this around
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FRUSTRATION: It's etched on the faces of the manager, the players and the fans here at Emirates. Arsenal HAVE to respond
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HE HIT THAT SO WELL: In came the corner, it was cleared to the edge of the area, Collison took one touch to control and then leathered a left-foot effort past Szczesny
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GOAL! - Jack Collison 0 : 1 WHAT A STRIKE FROM COLLISON...
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DEFLECTION! The ball drops to Taylor and his effort flicks off Vermaelen (I think) and loops just over the crossbar. Szczesny puffs out his cheeks in relief
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#AFCvWHU: That's the hashtag to use if you're on Twitter. Have your say - we'll publish a selection of your comments on this page
Top Comments:
@sajmaj02 on Twitter says:
We have started positively and that's what we have lacked recently in the last few games #AFCvWHU
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CHANCE FOR THEO! Wilshere's fine ball finds him in the right channel but in comes the challenge just in time. Walcott wants a corner, he won't get one
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GOOD COVER: Vermaelen comes across to clear after Gibbs is dispossessed trying to retrieve a wayward pass from Ramsey
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
"Giroud has shown a lot of promise. His main strength is his heading. I think he could score lots of goals if the ball is put in the box for him to attack"
13
CAZORLA! Ooh, that's over the bar moments after Giroud and Podolski link up well
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ARSENAL BREAK: The home side have gone quiet but here's a counter-attack, Cazorla finding Giroud. He chests down to Podolski but he can't pick out Walcot
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VAZ TE WITH THE HEADER: It's no danger to Arsenal but that's a warning sign as Nolan gets a good delivery in from the right
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
"West Ham don't hesitate when it comes to getting the ball in the box. Arsenal have to be careful with that"
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CORNER COMES IN: But it's cleared pretty comfortably and Walcott can't return the ball into the box
8
JACK'S BACK: Wilshere returns to the fray... now Walcott has the ball in the box, he finds Sagna... and that's an Arsenal corner
8
THAT LOOKS NASTY: Wilshere is caught by Collison and he needs lengthy treatment. Looks like he turned his ankle there
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
"It looked like he just rolled his left ankle there. Let's hope he's alright"
7
TACTICS: West Ham are leaving just Carlton Cole up when Arsenal have the ball but Nolan and Vaz Te get forward quickly when the visitors break forward
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WALCOTT GETS AWAY: Good play from Ramsey to release him but once again Theo can't find Giroud with the cut-back
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TACTICS: Walcott is on the right, Giroud through the centre and Poldi on the left with Cazorla in his preferred No 10 role and Wilshere deeper
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O'BRIEN WITH THE FREE-KICK... Sagna heads half-clear, Demel retrieves it and West Ham get a corner. That is ushered away from danger though
3
RAMSEY PENALISED: He caught Noble late but Andre Marriner gives him a warning and no card
2
POLDI DOES WELL: He chases a lost cause and stops the ball going out for a goal kick
Top Comments:
@SSohaard on Twitter says:
I'm very Happy to see Podolski back in #Arsenal squad. I hope he acts as the x-factor in this #London derby. #AFCvWHU
1
WALCOTT IN SPACE: Theo gets the ball inside the box but can't pick out Giroud. He might have had a go himself there. Fast start from Arsenal
Kick Off WEST HAM GET US UNDERWAY: Arsenal will attack the Clock End goal in the first half
HAVE YOUR SAY: E-mail our commentary team of Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes at www.arsenal.com/studio. And join the conversation on Twitter: #AFCvWHU
HERE THEY COME... the teams emerge from the tunnel, the players shake hands, the Arsenal boys salute the crowd, and we're just about ready for the off. Come on you Gunners!
Kevin Nolan will lead out West Ham, Thomas Vermaelen captains the Gunners. Meanwhile fans are still streaming into the stadium and taking their seats
We are just minutes away from kick-off here at the Emirates. And my word it's chilly. Let's hope the Arsenal can warm us up - the players are gathering in the tunnel as I type
Top Comments:
@James_Moule18 on Twitter says:
Must win game tonight, need those 3 points #AFCvWHU
SEVEN POINTS: That's the gap to fourth-placed Tottenham but Arsenal can almost halve the deficit tonight. This is the game in hand from that Boxing Day postponement - time to make it count
TWO CHANGES: Coquelin (hamstring) and Diaby drop out and in come Ramsey and Podolski. It'll be interesting to see who drops into the defensive midfield role - Ramsey or Wilshere
SUBS: Mannone, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Santos, Frimpong, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin
ARSENAL LINE-UP: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski, Giroud
So, without further ado, here's the Arsenal team for tonight's London derby...
And remember to use the hashtag #AFCvWHU if you join the debate on Twitter. We'll publish a selection of your comments on this page
Former Gunner Stephen Hughes is alongside host Dan Roebuck in the studio and the commentary box and you can drop them a line via www.arsenal.com/studio
If you are out and about you can follow our live coverage on the Arsenal App. The Matchday Show is getting underway now and kick-off is at 7.45pm (UK time)
It's a freezing night here in north London so you might just be better off wrapped up warm at home while Arsenal chase vital points in the race for a top-four place
Top Comments:
@cammyy_gee on Twitter says:
C'mon arsenal #AFCvWHU
Hello and welcome to Arsenal Player. It's Arsenal v West Ham, it's the Premier League, and you can follow all the action right here.
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
03 SAGNA, Bacary
04 MERTESACKER, Per
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent (58)
28 GIBBS, Kieran
14 WALCOTT, Theo
19 CAZORLA, Santi
10 WILSHERE, Jack
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
09 PODOLSKI, Lukas
11 SANTOS, Andre (70)
12 GIROUD, Olivier
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, Alex (73)
24 MANNONE, VITO
06 KOSCIELNY, LAURENT
11 SANTOS, ANDRE
25 JENKINSON, CARL
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, ALEX
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
26 FRIMPONG, EMMANUEL
West Ham United
22 JAASKELAINEN, Jussi
20 DEMEL, Guy
05 TOMKINS, James
02 REID, Winston
23 DIARRA, Alou (62)
17 O'BRIEN, Joey
14 TAYLOR, Matthew
10 COLLISON, Jack
33 POTTS, Daniel (62)
04 NOLAN, Kevin
16 NOBLE, Mark
12 VAZ TE, Ricardo
21 DIAME, Mohamed (70)
09 COLE, Carlton
13 HENDERSON, STEPHEN
33 POTTS, DANIEL
07 JARVIS, MATTHEW
21 DIAME, MOHAMED
23 DIARRA, ALOU
26 COLE, JOE
32 O'NEIL, GARY
Top Comments:
@WaterboyDB10 on Twitter says:
Hope Dan Potts' injury isn't too serious, get well soon! #AFCvWHU