It was a game which showed that trying to predict the outcome of an Arsenal match is a fool's errand. A second-half blitzkrieg flattened West Ham, and gave Arsenal their first Premier League win of 2013.
WOJCIECH SZCZESNY - 6 - The Pole was unsighted for the Collison goal, but otherwise he was an unruffled presence. His kicking was of a higher standard than we've come to expect, and he started the move which led to the 5th goal with a fine throw to Jack Wilshere.
BACARY SAGNA - 7 - This was more like the old Sagna. After a bad run of form, he was back to his dependable best tonight, which was needed while the contest was still alive in the first half. Largely kept Ricardo Vaz Te in his pocket.
PER MERTESACKER - 7 - At times the "BFG" struggled with Carlton Cole in the first half. And he needs to make sure his defence are aware of when he's trying to play the offside trap. But became more comfortable as the match progressed. The way he often spoke to the referee during the game indicates his growing influence at the club.
THOMAS VERMAELEN - 7 - Arsenal's skipper has improved as this season's progressed. He did the simple things well, and kept the mistakes to a minimum. Also deserves a lot of credit for playing through what could be a nasty injury after a collision with Aaron Ramsey.
KIERAN GIBBS - 7 - It will be forgotten after the victory, but Gibbs' slowness to push up with his defence, as well as him not closing his man down quickly enough, could prove costly on another day. But that tends not to matter when you score five. He was excellent going forward, and could end up doing for Arsenal what the Brazilian Marcelo does for Real Madrid.
AARON RAMSEY - 8 - Some will say that Ramsey's strong display is due to him being played in his best position. But what makes his performance so impressive is that the Welshman wasn't in his best position. Having to play deep in Mikel Arteta's role, he did it with aplomb, regulating possession superbly with a passing accuracy of 95%. And let's not forget his crucial goalline clearance when the score was 1-1.
JACK WILSHERE - 8 - Revelled in the space given to him by the West Ham midfield. Wilshere ran the show; all driving runs and prompting passes. When Vermaelen was substituted, I was pleasantly surprised to see the armband go to Wilshere. It's a sight we may see many more times in the future.
SANTI CAZORLA - 7 - I still think that Cazorla is a touch jaded. He only managed one successful through ball, and was dispossessed more than any other Arsenal player. However, even a below-par "Santi Claus" remains a threat. He played his part in the second half goal rush, no more so than his delightful touch to make it 3-1.
THEO WALCOTT - 8 - Looked lively from the first minute to the last. At times Joey O'Brien needed to keep his head on a swivel just to be able to keep up. Walcott constantly buzzed down the right with menacing intent, and timed his run expertly when he ended the contest by making it 4-1.
OLIVIER GIROUD - 8 - Average in the first half, dynamite in the second. Constantly worked the West Ham centre-halves, and showed his delicate touch on the ball to devastating effect - not only in the move that led to Cazorla's goal, but for the way he took his brace.
LUKAS PODOLSKI - 10 - His best game in an Arsenal shirt. Looked energetic from the opening exchanges, and made the key intervention to bring the score to 1-1, wresting back the momentum which had been lost with West Ham's opener. His goal was like a cruise missile, and he was unplayable in the second half, contributing three assists - more than any other Arsenal player this season.
SUBS
LAURENT KOSCIELNY - 7 - Brought on to replace Vermaelen once the points were safe. Solid and unfussy at the back.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN - 6 - Didn't given O'Brien a moment's piece. Was Arsenal's "out-ball" in the game's closing stages.
ANDRE SANTOS - 6 - Did little wrong, but tough to properly appraise the Brazilian in these circumstances. Let's hope getting some game time will help his confidence.
A thoroughly good night's work. It was three points that the Gunners desperately needed, and the gap to 4th place has been cut to 4 points. Arsenal made the most of their game in hand. They now need to find a high level of consistency which is crucial if they are to make the Champions League next season.
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