A bright first half was in large dominated by the Hammers and they were rewarded just before half-time as Alessandro Diamanti slide the ball home when put clean through on goal.
Arsenal then dominated the second-half but could not find a way through until two goals in 5 minutes, near the end, sealed their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Despite the loss, manager Gianfranco Zola was in a positive mood. “I know it was very close but I’m pleased at the performance from the team and I couldn’t ask for anything more as they gave everything,"
“I take a lot of positives from this game. I must say that the team is giving 100 per cent and if we maintain those conditions, when we have everybody back, this team is going to be different and tough to beat.”