SETTING THE SCENE
Arsène Wenger sprung a surprise before kick-off by NOT making changes. After the draw with Chelsea three days earlier, the manager had spoken of rotation. In the end the only alteration was enforced. Tomas Rosicky picked up a knee injury in that game and so Santi Cazorla came in.
FIRST HALF
The game started at a pace in keeping with the long tradition of Boxing Day derbies in the English top flight.
West Ham’s early tactics involved trying to put in Matt Jarvis behind Bacary Sagna as much as possible. It worked sporadically but the winger’s crosses were dealt with effectively.
HALF-TIME SUMMARY
Arsenal fail to convert a host of chances so it remains goalless at half-time in east London
When Arsenal settled they nearly took the lead almost immediately. Sagna curled over an inviting cross that brushed off Olivier Giroud’s hair after the Frenchman beat McCartney in the air.
Mohammed Diame was fouled on the left and Mark Noble’s curling free-kick was beaten away from Wojciech Szczesny. West Ham had greater pressure but Arsenal were breaking quickly and creating the better chances.
On the quarter-hour, Adrian had to make a flying save from a header by Cazorla from fully 18 yards.
Ten minutes later, Aaron Ramsey lofted a pass over the West Ham defence for Walcott but the Arsenal winger could only sidefoot a shot into the sidenetting.
Then Giroud went clear momentarily in the left-hand channel but screwed his shot wide when he should have hit the target at least.
As half-time approached Arsenal were starting to take over. Ramsey and Ozil burst to either byline but no-one could convert their crosses.
On the whistle, Gibbs raced down the left and fired low across the area. Giroud miscued when the merest touch would have put Arsenal ahead
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