Arsenal travelled to West Ham United on Boxing Day with the chance to move back to the top of the Premier League table.
The Gunners could move back to the summit if they picked up just a point, depending on the result of Liverpool's clash with Manchester City, while the Hammers were just one point above the relegation zone.
In an entertaining encounter, Arsenal came from behind to pick up the win and move back to the head of the table.
Read how the match unfolded in our live commentary below.
Happy holidays everyone and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of Premier League action as West Ham United host Arsenal at Upton Park.
As nice as stuffing your face with food, giving presents and spending time with your loved ones is, this is what the festive period is all about. Christmas football! And our attention today is at Upton Park for what should be an intriguing encounter, as Arsenal are in town for a London derby!
It's a must-win match for both of these sides today, as neither go into the game in particularly hot form. West Ham are hovering dangerously above the relegation zone, while Arsenal have let a five-point lead at the top of the table slip in recent weeks. Both will be desperate to get back to winning ways here today.
Team news to come shortly, starting with the home team.
WEST HAM XI: Adrian, O'Brien, Tomkins, Collins, McCartney, Jarvis, Nolan, J.Cole, Noble, Diame, C.Cole
Sam Allardyce makes four changes to the team that lost 3-1 at Manchester United last weekend.
Guy Demel, Ravel Morrison, Matt Taylor and Modibo Maiga all drop out of the starting lineup. In their places come Joey O'Brien, Joe Cole, Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole.
Adrian keeps his place in between the sticks for West Ham, ahead of Jussi Jaaskelainen.
And here is what Allardyce has in reserve.
WEST HAM BENCH: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Diarra, Taylor, Maiga, Collison, Rat
So that's what the hosts have to offer. Now let's take a look at the Arsenal.
ARSENAL XI: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud
Arsene Wenger has opted to go for just one alteration to the team after their goalless draw with Chelsea on Monday.
Tomas Rosicky drops out of the squad completely, and is replaced by Santi Cazorla.
Let's take a look at Wenger's options.
ARSENAL BENCH: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Monreal, Flamini, Gnabry, Bendtner, Podolski
The game comes too soon for Laurent Koscielny, who was forced off with a knee injury two weeks ago at Manchester City, so Thomas Vermaelen keeps his place. Lukas Podolski remains on the bench having failed to come on during the Chelsea clash, but will be hoping to make his first appearance since August today. I'll bring you news of Tomas Rosicky as soon as I get it.
Jack Wilshere serves the second of his two-match ban today, so he is unavailable as well for Arsenal.
So that's all the team news for you, let's take a look at the bigger picture.
It's a huge fixture for these sides. Arsenal, who will move back to the top of the Premier League table for a few hours at least with a draw, haven't won in their last four matches in all competitions. They have let a five-point lead slide over that period, and need to find their momentum once again. They were frustrated by Chelsea at the Emirates on Monday, but still only managed to muster one shot on target all game. That has to improve today.
West Ham have also been lacking in the striker department due to Andy Carroll's long-term injury. They sit just a point above the drop zone having lost three and drawn one of their last four Premier League fixtures. However, they do not have the greatest record against the Gunners.
Here is what happened when these sides met at Upton Park last season:
It finished 3-1 to the Gunners that they after West Ham had taken the lead. The reverse fixture was even worse for the Hammers, who were battered 5-1 at the Emirates earlier this year.
In fact, Arsenal have won their last six games against West Ham in all competitions, and are unbeaten in the last 11 clashes, winning nine of them. That unbeaten run stretches all the way back to the 2006-07 season, when the Hammers won both Premier League encounters 1-0, becoming the first-ever away team to win at the Emirates in the process.
A more encouraging statistic for West Ham is that they are unbeaten in their last two league games at Upton Park, keeping clean sheets in both matches. Although, the Gunners have claimed 16 points from their eight away league games, the joint-best record in the top flight.
The two teams are in the tunnel, and we're just a few minutes away from kick off.
The teams are out at Upton Park, and we're just going through the usual pre-match routines.
Word is that Tomas Rosicky is out injured, not sure how serious that is though.
Phil Dowd is the man in charge today, and he hasn't shown a red card yet this season.
KICK OFF! Arsenal, playing from left to right, get the match underway.
West Ham, who are attacking to the left in this first half, are wearing their usual claret and blue home kit, with white shorts and socks.
Arsenal are in their changed away strip of yellow shirts, blue shorts and blue socks.
West Ham are eager to get some early attacks going with some balls forward, but Arsenal haven't had anything to worry about in these early stages.
Cazorla nearly slides Walcott in with a lovely pass, but the latter is offside.
Ramsey goes in late on Carlton Cole, and West Ham have a free kick in a decent position for a cross.
Short one slid to the left of the box to Jarvis, who flights a cross in towards the far post, but Szczesny can punch it clear.
Bit of a spell for West Ham here in attack, but Arsenal have been able to deal with it all so far.
Arsenal hit West Ham on the break and Cazorla picks it up on the left of the box from Walcott. He wriggles to the right and hits a low shot, but the Hammers can block it and clear.
CHANCE! Giroud just cannot quite get his head on the end of a wonderful Sagna cross. The delivery comes in from the right, but Tomkins did just enough to put off the striker.
Arsenal are starting to settle now and ping the ball about.
Arteta brings down Diame on the left of the Arsenal box, and West Ham have the free kick.
Noble is over it, and it is right on the edge of the area. Great position this.
SAVE! Wonderful effort from Noble who curls it towards the far top corner, but Szczesny is there to push the ball away. Good shot and a good save.
Arsenal stream forward once again with Ramsey, who should have a shot at goal, but takes too long before sliding a pass straight to McCartney.
It's been a good start at Upton Park. Fairly end to end at the moment.
Arsenal have a corner on the left which is swung in by Walcott, but Carlton Cole can head it away. However, Arsenal continue the attack and win another corner.
SAVE! Arsenal twice nearly go in front. Mertesacker's initial header is blocked, before it lofts out to Cazorla on the edge of the box. He meets in with a powerful header that flies towards the top corner, but Adrian can make a great stop.
Arsenal are starting to take control of the game now, but West Ham are still looking to get forward all the time.
Arsenal are just hovering on the edge of the West Ham box at the moment, and the hosts just cannot get it away.
YELLOW CARD Joey O'Brien is the first to go into the book today for pulling Gibbs' shirt on the left of the box.
Walcott's free kick is cleared by West Ham, but every time they clear it, the ball goes straight back to Arsenal.
West Ham are sat very deep at the moment, but they cannot get the ball.
West Ham on the attack at the moment. Cole breaks forward before running into Mertesacker, and Arsenal can clear for now.
Arsenal have had 84% possession over the past five minutes.
SAVE! Diame runs out of options in the middle of the Arsenal half, so smashes a rocket at goal. It's straight at Szczesny, but the goalkeeper still has to get his weight behind it.
MISS! Walcott should score here. Ramsey lifts a superb chip from the centre of the West Ham half into the right of the box where Walcott runs onto it. He meets it with a side-foot volley, but sends it wide of the near post. He should at least get it on target, but should probably score.
Not much of an atmosphere at Upton Park right now. You can only hear the Arsenal fans, the hosts are very flat.
Frantic defending from Arsenal as West Ham have a spell in the box. Mertesacker makes a vital hooked clearance, but West Ham still have momentum at the moment.
CLOSE! Just like that, Arsenal go on the attack. It's a super effort from Cazorla, who shifts the ball onto his right foot from just outside the box. He then hits across the ball which swerves and dips towards the top corner, but just over.
CLOSE! Another chance for Arsenal as Giroud moves down the left of the box before firing across goal. He can't hit the target though as it goes wide of the far post.
SAVE! Ramsey hits a shot from the edge of the D, which O'Brien can get a touch to. It takes the sting off the ball, and Adrian can save.
Real spell of attacking momentum for Arsenal, but they need to take one of these chances sooner rather than later.
Collins is struggling and receiving treatment at the moment. Looks as if he may come off.
WEST HAM CHANGE: Collins cannot continue, and Romania captain Razvan Rat is the man to come on.
It's still Arsenal who are controlling possession at the moment.
Jarvis goes down the left and curls a good cross into Joe Cole, but he is marginally offside.
Arsenal, again, are hovering on the edge of the West Ham box before running in on the left. He fires a shot at goal, but it's too acute an angle for him, and Adrian can catch.
CHANCE! What a superb move from Arsenal as Ozil plays a great one-two with Cazorla, before fizzing a low cross at the byline. Giroud should get a touch on it, that would put Arsenal in front, but he isn't able to get to it.
Arsenal have a free kick 25 yards from goal to the left of centre. Ramsey and Cazorla both fancy this.
CLOSE! The free kick cannons into the wall, before the ball drops to Arteta on the edge of the box. He slams a half-volley towards the bottom corner, but it flies just wide of the post.
Arsenal really need to take one of these chances, otherwise it could come back to bite them. We have two added minutes to play.
SAVE! West Ham try a clever little free kick where Noble hooks the ball over the top to Nolan. Szczesny read the situation early though, and came out to block Nolan.
CLOSE! Just like that, Arsenal go on the counter. They've got men in the West Ham box, and Gibbs fires a low ball in from the byline. Again it's near Giroud, but again he cannot get to it.
HALF TIME: West Ham United 0-0 Arsenal
How Arsenal aren't ahead I will never know. They've dominated this game, but it's goalless at the break.
Walcott had the best chance of the half but put it wide. Arteta went close as well, but Giroud should have had at least two by now, but he just cannot seem to find the back of the net at the moment.
Szczesny was forced into a good save by Noble, but that's all that West Ham have been able to muster in the way of challenges so far. Yet, they are still level.
The teams are back out at Upton Park. The second half is moments away.
KICK OFF! West Ham, playing to the right, get the second half up and running.
GOAL! West Ham United 1-0 Arsenal (Carlton Cole)
Against the run of play, West Ham are ahead. Nolan side-foots a shot from outside the box, but Szczesny can't hold it, and Cole is given a gift from all of a few yards.
Still plenty of time for Arsenal to respond, but you felt that they would be made to pay for missing chances.
Arsenal scream for a penalty as Mertesacker hits a volley at Tomkins. Not given, but need to see a replay of the incident before making a judgement.
SAVE! It's heating up at Upton Park. West Ham now hit Arsenal on the break and Jarvis finds himself in the visitor's box. He hits a shot early, but Szczesny can save.
CLOSE! Arsenal go straight up the other end but Giroud flicks a soft touch just wide from a cross.
West Ham taking up a siege mentality now.
Corner floated in for Arsenal which Vermaelen gets his head to, but he is put off by O'Brien, and heads over.
CLOSE! So close to a second for West Ham. Diame whips in a teasing ball from the right which O'Brien dives to get his head to, but he guides it just wide of the far post.
Arsenal are living dangerously at the moment. It's fast and furious at Upton Park.
O'Brien goes in hard on Giroud as misses the ball completely. O'Brien has already been booked and probably should have received a second there.
CLOSE! Cole should make it 2-0 but misses! Rat crosses in a brilliant ball, which Cole should attack with his head, but instead he side-foots it wide from an awkward height.
Arsenal peppering the West Ham goal with shots at the moment, but the hosts are holding firm for now.
It really is backs against the wall stuff from West Ham at the moment.
Vital header from Tomkins to block Giroud's header. That looked destined for the back of the net.
SAVES! Superb double stop from Adrian! Ozil's backheel allows Cazorla to smash a ball at goal which Adrian saves, before being able to recover and block Ozil's rebound. Brilliant stuff.
YELLOW CARD Cazorla picks up a booking dissent.
Ramsey is down for Arsenal, and has been for a while. Play continues from both sides though, but Ramsey looks to be struggling.
WEST HAM CHANGE: Smart change from Allardyce as he takes off O'Brien, who should have been sent off anyway. Guy Demel is on.
Podolski is about to come on for Ramsey.
ARSENAL CHANGE: Podolski is now on, with Ramsey taken off.
Podolski is down for a while after getting crunched in the box as he tries to get a shot away.
GOAL! West Ham United 1-1 Arsenal (Theo Walcott)
Relief for Arsenal as Walcott brings Arsenal level. He jinks inside from the right of the box and fires a low left-footed shot, which somehow makes its way into the back of the net. Adrian can't have seen that until late, but he should have made the save.
Podolski fires a good strike from just outside the box, but he can't keep it down.
GOAL! West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal (Theo Walcott)
Arsenal are ahead, and it's deserved to be fair. Podolski cross from the left, which Tomkins gets a head to, but can only flick behind him. Walcott is there on the edge of the six-yard box, and heads into the back of the net.
SAVE! Nearly 3-1, but Podolski is thwarted at close range by Adrian after a superb dink over the top by Cazorla.
Arsenal are well on top and in search of a third. They have a corner on the right.
CLOSE! Cazorla bangs a shot from a cleared corner on the edge of the D. He was slightly off balance, and fires wide.
WEST HAM CHANGE: Final alteration from Allardyce, as Matt Taylor replaces Nolan.
Arsenal are still on top in search of a third goal that would probably kill the game off. West Ham are holding on at the moment though.
GOAL! West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal (Lukas Podolski)
Great goal from Arsenal, and that should be that. Giroud holds the ball up brilliantly inside the box before laying off Podolski, who smashes it into the bottom corner.
ARSENAL CHANGE: Flamini is on in place of Ozil. You don't need me to tell you what Wenger had in mind with that change.
I can't remember the last time West Ham attacked the Arsenal goal. The visitors have been dominant since equalising.
ARSENAL CHANGE: Final swap from Wenger, as Giroud is replaced by Nicklas Bendtner.
The game is at a very lethargic pace now. West Ham seem to have accepted defeat, Arsenal have taken their foot off the gas.
Few decent balls into the box from both sides, but this game is dying out.
CLOSE! Nearly a fourth for Arsenal as Bendtner creeps forward from the right of centre before pushing the ball to his right and slamming a low shot wide of the far post. It took a touch on the way behind; Arsenal corner.
Four minutes of added time, Diame hobbles off for West Ham.
CHANCE! Joe Cole gets the ball from a Diame knock-down at the far post, but he pulls it wide of the far post.
FULL TIME: West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal
Back to the top of the Premier League for Arsenal, while West Ham slip into the bottom three due to other results. It's a deserved outcome.
Carlton Cole gave West Ham the perfect start to the second half by putting them ahead, before a Walcott brace and a goal from Podolski gave Arsenal a 3-1 win.
That's it from me, but stick around for my analysis piece on Sports Mole shortly.
Written by
Matt Cotton
Matt Cotton
