An Arsenal side lacking bite and solidity have been defeated 2-0 by a determined and well-drilled West Ham United side in their Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
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The Hammers began with intent and appeared eager to make their presence felt on the opposition, which led to early bookings for Mark Noble and Angelo Ogbonna.
Laurent Koscielny was the first player of the game to weigh in with a chance, although his header on nine minutes looped wide of goal.
Arsenal failed to truly get into gear until the half-hour mark, when Santi Cazorla lashed a volley onto the roof of the West Ham net and Aaron Ramsey fired an effort off Aaron Cresswell and against the bar.
Despite their late surge, the visitors would have the final say in the half as Dimitri Payet's free-kick into the area was misjudged by the onrushing Petr Cech, leaving Cheikhou Kouyate to coolly head his side into the lead.
The Gunners continued to labour against the Hammers after the restart as their defence held strongly against a number of barely incisive Arsenal attacks, though Olivier Giroud came close just before the hour with two efforts.
Slaven Bilic's charges then went on to stun the opposition once again when Mauro Zarate claimed possession off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before sending a low shot past the lacklustre Cech and in at the near post.
The hosts attempted to rally round and sent a flurry of efforts the way of Adrian in the latter stages of the game, most notably through a Theo Walcott volley, Oxlade-Chamberlain's fierce shot into the side netting and Cazorla's saved drive.
However, they were not able to grab themselves a consolation, with West Ham holding firm and claiming all three points in what turned out to be a relatively straightforward win.
Giuseppe Labellarte
