West Ham United

2.50

• 
  2

  5

  2.50

  Jussi Jaaskelainen

  For all Arsenal's possession, they rarely tested Jaaskelainen. Was beaten to Podolski's cross by Giroud for Arsenal's equaliser. Parried a tame shot behind for a corner when he could have caught it, prompting a sustained period of danger from Arsenal.

• 
  4

  4

  2.50

  Winston Reid

  Put his body on the line to block shots and coped well in the air, but was less assured on the deck. Picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul on Cazorla.

• 
  1

  5

  2.50

  George McCartney

  Was relatively untroubled in the first half up against Gervinho, marshalling the Ivorian infield well. But he had more problems against the pace and directness of Walcott, allowing the winger too much space to burst in behind and score Arsenal's second goal. Started the break that led to West Ham's goal.

• 
  1

  5

  3.00

  James Collins

  Never let Giroud have a sniff in the air, but allowed the Frenchman to run in behind him for Arsenal's equaliser. Cleared almost everything that was thrown into the Hammers' box. Also tasked with floating in West Ham's deep free-kicks aimed at the head of Carroll.

• 
  4

  6

  2.50

  Guy Demel

  Contained Podolski well, especially higher up the pitch, but afforded the German too much space to cross for Arsenal's equaliser. Got forward with pace and energy himself, and his long throws provided another means to for Carroll to cause havoc in Arsenal's box. Replaced by Tomkins.

• 
  1

  9

  2.00

  Kevin Nolan Flop of the Match

  Missed an excellent opportunity to restore West Ham's lead just before the end of the first half, but dragged his shot wide. Continued to waste opportunities in front of goal will poor finishing and even worse decision-making. Didn't support Diame and Noble enough in the middle of the pitch.

• 
  4

  6

  2.50

  Matthew Jarvis

  Initially lined up on the right wing and was afforded little opportunity to run at Gibbs. Switched sides in the second half and was more dangerous, but the game largely passed him by with West Ham favouring a more direct route straight to Carroll.

• 
  4

  6

  2.50

  Mark Noble

  His passing often let him down, but he scrapped hard in midfield, trying (often in vain) to track and stifle Cazorla as he floated about the pitch and made some crunching tackles. Allowed the Spaniard too much space for Arsenal's third goal.

• 
  7

  4

  3.00

  Mohamed Diame

  Spurned several counter-attacking opportunities with heavy passes and overall he was wayward in possession. Took his goal brilliantly, bursting between two Arsenal defenders before curling a brilliant shot in at the far post. Lucky not to be sent off for a robust challenge on Arteta after already being booked for celebrating in the crowd. Subbed with 10 minutes remaining as West Ham pushed for a way back into the game.

• 
  9

  7

  3.00

  Andy Carroll

  A major nuisance for Arsenal's centre-backs. Should have scored with a free header in the first half, and nodded the ball just past Mannone's past mid-way through the second. Not just a threat offensively in the air, Carroll swatted away danger in his own box too.

• 
  1

  7

  2.00

  Ricardo Vaz Te

  The match almost completely passed him by. Regularly disrupted West Ham's counter-attacks with poor passing and bad decision-making. Only moment of note was a self-sustained injury after he fell awkwardly which ended his match.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  5

  2.00

  James Tomkins

  Came on for Demel with less than 20 minutes remaining and saw his side concede twice after his introduction. The nature of Arsenal's attack never appealed to his own, aerial, strengths.

• 
  1

  5

  2.50

  Matthew Taylor

  Replaced Vaz Te with about half an hour of the match remaining. Worked hard and pressured Santos in particular when he was on the ball.

• 
  0

  6

  2.50

  Carlton Cole

  Replaced Diame as West Ham pushed for an equaliser in the dying minutes and showed some fight, but never hugely threatened.

Arsenal FC

3.00

• 
  13

  3

  2.50

  Vito Mannone

  Stayed fairly rooted to his line for much of West Ham's aerial bombardment, rarely relieving pressure by claiming crosses. When he did attempt to punch clear, he was often more harm than good, gifting Carroll a free header.

• 
  17

  2

  3.00

  Per Mertesacker

  Brought into the side to match Carroll's aerial ability, but was not a match for the Englishman in the air. Also struggled with the West Ham forward's movement. Had more joy against Nolan, making a brilliant challenge in the penalty box as he looked to be about to pull the trigger.

• 
  13

  2

  3.00

  Thomas Vermaelen

  More composed and controlled on the deck than Mertesacker. Took turns with German to try and battle Carroll in the air, but had little luck against the Hammers' hulking centre-forward.

• 
  15

  3

  3.00

  Carl Jenkinson

  Got foward well, with one low cross almost diverted into his own net by Reid. More troubled by Jarvis in the second half, but otherwise solid.

• 
  8

  6

  2.50

  Kieran Gibbs

  Though he burst forward with vigour, he was generally wasteful in the final third. His crossing, especially on the run, was very poor. Replaced by Santos before the hour with a thigh problem.

• 
  26

  1

  4.00

  Santi Cazorla Top of the Match

  Found space with incredible ease, toying with West Ham's midfield three at times. Such a threat in and around the final third, and showed that with aplomb when he smashed an unstoppable shot from 30-yards past Jaaskelainen. Constantly threatened to unlock the West Ham defence with his intelligent passing.

• 
  12

  9

  3.00

  Aaron Ramsey

  The box-to-box component of Arsenal's midfield, Ramsey occasionally burst forward with threat but was ponderous and wasteful in the final third. Tussled with West Ham's more physical midfielders well.

• 
  28

  0

  3.50

  Mikel Arteta

  So tidy and composed on the ball, the Spaniard was always open to receive a pass and generally used the ball well too. Lead Arsena's domination of central midfield.

• 
  26

  3

  3.50

  Olivier Giroud

  Played well overall, though was granted little change in the air from Collins and Reid. Had a fine effort that looked to be curling in blocked by the head of Carroll. Started and finished Arsenal's equaliser, feeding Podolski before darting behind Collins to poke the German's cross past Jaaskelainen. Played a perfect pass for Arsenal's third goal to release Walcott.

• 
  7

  12

  2.00

  Gervinho

  After such promising performances playing through the middle, Gervinho disappointed when asked to play off the right. Only ever on the periphery of the match, he was replaced by Walcott on the hour. Picked up a yellow card for swiping down McCartney.

• 
  22

  1

  3.00

  Lukas Podolski

  The German had a quiet first half, but delivered when it mattered. His driven near post cost provided Giroud's equaliser. An occasional threat on the break, but a tad too unpredictable. Replaced by Koscielny with minutes remaining.

Substitutions

• 
  14

  1

  Laurent Koscielny

  Replaced Podolski with five minutes remaining. Had little time to influence the match.

• 
  12

  4

  2.50

  Andre Santos

  Came on for Gibbs mid-way through the second half. Was less troubled defensively than Gibbs, though against the less threatening Taylor.

• 
  24

  2

  3.50

  Theo Walcott

  Replaced the ineffective Gervinho with half an hour left. McCartney struggled to deal with pace and directness. Took his goal well, running onto Giroud's pass before tucking the ball past Jaaskelainen at his near post before laying the ball to Cazorla to guarantee the win for Arsenal.