West Ham United 1 Arsenal 3: match report Sam Allardyce, the West Ham manager, said: "We tried our best, we weren't quite good enough but I was pleased with our performance." Arsenal hit the ground running, determined to avoid a second London derby defeat in succession. Olivier Giroud had a low shot pushed away by Jussi Jaaskelainen in the second minute, and the hosts were scrambling again shortly afterwards when Cazorla's strike from Lukas Podolski's cross spun away for a corner. Arsenal's attacking intent was such that left-back Carl Jenkinson forced his way into the penalty area, requiring a desperate block by James Collins. Then Carroll, his aerial abilities much needed in assistance of his defenders, headed Giroud's fizzing shot safely over the home crossbar. Mohamed Diame collected the ball wide on Arsenal's left, jinked past Per Mertesacker and unleashed a superb angled drive that flew beyond Vito Mannone. There was little surprise, however, when Arsenal levelled four minutes before half-time, with another rapid phase of play that involved the dangerous Podolski. Gervinho picked out the German, who strode rapidly forward to dispatch a low cross from which Giroud, given the central attacking role by Wenger, could not fail to register his first league goal for Arsenal. The game's pattern had long been set - extensive passages of Arsenal possession punctuated by rapid West Ham breakaway attacks. It made for compelling viewing. The home side suffered a blow when they lost Ricardo Vaz Te, who dislocated a shoulder in a collision with the increasingly busy Mannone. Arsenal's response was a driving run and cross from Podolski that Cazorla thumped against James Collins but West Ham's appetite showed no sign of lessening. Kevin Nolan burst forward in the 71st minute and only a superb tackle by Mertesacker staved off the threat. At the other end, Jaaskelainen was relieved to push away Podolski's low effort for a corner. Arsenal were building again, and, with a moment of class, took the lead in the 76th minute. Giroud played the perfect through ball for Walcott, who ran on to apply a cool finish. Just to rub salt into West Ham wounds, Cazorla lashed home a third. Wenger praised his sparkling Spanish midfielder. He was a delight to watch from the first to the last minute today and was very influential in our team. It's fantastic to watch him play.