Song hits right note to silence West Ham

Arsenal midfielder Alex Song’s late header secured a 1-0 victory over West Ham on Saturday that kept Arsene Wenger’s side firmly in the title race.

For 87 minutes it looked as though the Gunners would drop two valuable points at the Emirates Stadium and allow leaders Chelsea to open up a seven-point advantage at the head of the table.

West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green was in inspired form, producing a string of saves to deny Arsenal, who were in danger of failing to build on last weekend’s impressive 3-0 victory at Manchester City.

But Song finally found a way through when he dived full length to connect with Gael Clichy’s left-wing cross and secure the win that kept Arsenal five points behind Chelsea.

That brought relief for Wenger and his players but it was a harsh blow for the visitors, who remain rooted at the foot of the table despite producing an impressive defensive performance.

Arsenal started in their normal fluid way, moving the ball through the West Ham defence quickly, with Andrey Arshavin heavily involved during the opening minutes.

Surprisingly, though, the home side quickly lost their momentum, partly because West Ham skipper Scott Parker was assigned to close down Cesc Fabregas at every opportunity.

West Ham were well organised at the back and in midfield, while lone striker Frederic Piquionne worked hard to provide an outlet for his team-mates.

And when Piquionne was fouled on the edge of the Arsenal box in the ninth minute, Mark Noble was able to test home keeper Lukasz Fabianski with a curling free-kick.

Fabianski had been outstanding against City but it was clear that West Ham had not forgotten the rash of errors that marked the keeper’s performances last season and they made sure every set-piece was delivered into the six-yard box.

The Pole stood firm, twice punching clear when under pressure, providing his side with the breathing space they needed to recover their poise.

Green was then called to make the most decisive intervention of the first half when the West Ham keeper saved superbly from Fabregas after an incisive move involving Song and Bacary Sagna.

Sagna’s pull-back found Fabregas in space ten yards out but Green threw himself to his right to deny the Spaniard.

The West Ham keeper repeated the feat two minutes before the interval, this time to deny Song, who had been released by Fabregas’s pass.

And when Green tipped Sebastien Squillaci’s header over the crossbar seconds before the half-time whistle, it was clear Arsenal would have to work hard to find a way past a player who is desperately trying to rebuild his reputation after a nightmare World Cup.

There had been a growing sense of impatience around the Emirates Stadium towards the end of the first period and Arsenal responded by upping the tempo immediately after the restart.

A couple of strong challenges by Parker sparked anger among the Arsenal players and prompted Wenger to remonstrate with the fourth official.

Fired up, the home side applied growing pressure on Green’s goal with Samir Nasri striking the bar with a powerful 35-yard free-kick.

Then substitute Theo Walcott fired against the post, adding to the feeling that this was not going to be Arsenal?s day.

To their credit, the home side never let up and they finally got their reward two minutes from time.