Gunners rocking thanks to Robin

Robin van Persie maintained Arsenal's dazzling start to the season as his goal earned an impressive 1-0 win at West Ham on Saturday.

The Dutch international headed home in the 13th minute to keep the north London club sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and extend their unbeaten run to 11 matches this term.

Victory in this hotly-contested London derby also provided a timely lift to manager Arsene Wenger ahead of the midweek Champions League encounter with Steaua Bucharest, although he will almost certainly be without Alexander Hleb after the midfielder was stretchered off in agony mid-way through the first half at Upton Park.


Wenger will not allow that blow to sour his weekend. This is the sort of result on which title challenges are built, so no wonder Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson believes Arsenal are "the team to beat" this season.
West Ham's Freddie Ljungberg controls the ball during a Premiership football match against Arsenal at Upton Park in London. Arsenal won the match 1-0.

West Ham's Freddie Ljungberg controls the ball during a Premiership football match against Arsenal at Upton Park in London. Arsenal won the match 1-0.

The Frenchman's young tyros coped admirably with a rugged West Ham, who earned their first booking after just 15 minutes when Lee Bowyer hacked crudely at van Persie.

Wenger remonstrated fiercely on the touchline but his mood was not entirely black. He had applauded warmly when his side took the lead, the overlapping Hleb crossing expertly for van Persie to nod into the bottom corner, via Robert Green's gloves.

While van Persie had been able to continue after lengthy treatment following Bowyer's foul, Hleb was not so lucky after being felled by Mark Noble. The Belarussian was carried off with a serious-looking ankle injury and will almost certainly miss the midweek trip to Steaua.
Arsenal's Alexander Hleb lies injured after a tackle during their Premiership football match against West Ham at Upton Park in London. Hleb had to be taken off the pitch due to the extent of his injuries, but Arsenal won the match 1-0.

Arsenal's Alexander Hleb lies injured after a tackle during their Premiership football match against West Ham at Upton Park in London. Hleb had to be taken off the pitch due to the extent of his injuries, but Arsenal won the match 1-0.

At least Arsenal had the lead their play deserved. Barely a minute had passed when Emmanuel Adebayor sent a low shot skidding past the post following good work from Abou Diaby, although West Ham also had their moments.

Dean Ashton, who had been tracked by Wenger while at, appeared particularly keen to impress and his muscular approach ruffled Arsenal. In the ninth minute, he easily shrugged off Philippe Senderos but saw his venomous left-footed volley whistle just over.

Yet for all their feistiness, West Ham lacked composure, and they were hardly helped moments after half-time when Anton Ferdinand limped off with a muscle injury.

His replacement, Danny Gabbidon, was immediately bamboozled by van Persie's lightning-quick footwork, and the forward's right-footed curler was tipped brilliantly onto the post by Green.
Arsenal's Kolo Toure(R) fights for the ball with West Ham's Dean Ashton during their Premiership football match at Upton Park, London. Arsenal won the match 1-0.

Arsenal's Kolo Toure(R) fights for the ball with West Ham's Dean Ashton during their Premiership football match at Upton Park, London. Arsenal won the match 1-0.

West Ham were galvanised by the let-off. They should have equalised in the 56th minute when Bowyer's cross found Ashton completely alone, but he headed straight at Manuel Almunia, and when Freddie Ljungberg saw a goal chalked off for a dubious offside moments later, Upton Park finally found its voice.

From then on, the game lurched breathlessly from one end to another. The excellent Green saved well from Adebayor and Gael Clichy, while Ashton went close with a 30-yard daisy-cutter and a firm downward header which was hacked clear by van Persie.

In the end, though, Arsenal held on.