HAMMERS KILLED OFF BY OL FIRE Giroud stunner ends stubborn resistance

OLIVIER GIROUD’S thunderbolt kept Arsenal on course for a top- four finish.

The Gunners bagged the points after finally seeing off a spirited second- half effort from West Ham.

Theo Walcott, recalled by Arsene Wenger after injury ruled out Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain, missed a couple of early chances to mark his return with a goal.

Hammers goalkeeper Adrian was beaten on the stroke of half- time by a fierce angled drive from Giroud which cannoned in off the far post.

West Ham, who have plummeted down the table following a poor run of results, regrouped for the second half and would have been good value for an equaliser.

Impact

But Arsenal broke them down again with nine minutes left when Aaron Ramsey fired in after a neat one- two with Giroud.

And substitute Mathieu Flamini rolled home a third to send Wenger’s side into their Champions League tie away to Monaco with renewed hope of an unlikely comeback.

Walcott had a chance to make an early impact when he was sent clear by Giroud’s flick.

But the England forward hesitated in the six- yard box and James Collins made a lastditch block as referee Chris Foy waved away appeals for a penalty.

Adrian then had to be alert to turn away a bullet header from Alexis Sanchez.

West Ham, who had just one win from the last nine league games, looked dangerous on the counter.

Matt Jarvis got clear down the right and pulled the ball back to Kevin Nolan on the edge of the penalty area.

The Hammers captain drilled a volley which Gunners keeper David Ospina scrambled away.

Arsenal came close to snatching the lead when Ramsey’s flick off his knee from Calum Chambers’ cross was palmed over by Adrian.

The Spaniard was needed again in the 33rd minute after Walcott latched on to a Ramsey through- ball but saw his effort blocked at the near post.

Sanchez had an effort palmed away and was booked for handball as he flapped at a high ball into the six- yard box.

Mesut Ozil’s snapshot was deflected out by Adrian, but Walcott fired way too high.

The Gunners forced the breakthough in first- half stoppage time with a goal of the highest quality.

A quick exchange of passes around the penalty area saw Ramsey feed Giroud and the French striker rifled a left- foot strike in off the far post.

West Ham were much improved in the secvond half, with Jarvis blazing a shot over from a corner.

On the hour referee Foy pulled up with an injury and was replaced by fourth official Anthony Taylor.

Drilled

Arsenal made a change in the 65th minute when Sanchez was replaced by Danny Welbeck.

Walcott’s knockdown was volleyed wide by Ramsey before the Gunners finally ended West Ham’s resilience with a second goal in the 81st minute.

Giroud and Ramsey exchanged a one- two on the right side of the penalty area before the Wales midfielder drilled past Adrian.

Flamini had not been on the pitch long before he arrived on cue at the far post for a tap- in after Santi Cazorla’s one- two with Giroud. GUTTED: West Ham boss Sam Allardyce

SENT OFF: Huddlestone