New Delhi: The Hammers return to east London with a point as Arsenal failed to make their dominant play, pay.
Prior to the game West Ham United were experiencing a run of good form, and had not tasted defeat since their 1-0 loss to Aston Villa before Christmas.
Arsenal on the other hand have not been beaten in the Premier League since the embarrassing 3-0 reverse at Manchester City. They continue to drop points though, and could have lost further ground on Aston Villa midweek but Robin van Persie struck deep into stoppage time, ensuring damage limitation, and salvaging a draw.
One of the reasons why Arsenal have been struggling is the absence of many of their creative players, which made the omission of Robin van Persie from Arsene Wenger's starting line-up all the more confusing.
The squandering of chances was to be a motif that ran from whistle to whistle at the Red and White army's Emirates Stadium this afternoon as the Hammers rarely ventured out of their own half. Arsenal set up camp in the final third, yet none of their chances bore notable fruit.
Arsenal started well, with Abou Diaby providing a menacing threat, but whatever the Frenchman threw West Ham's way, goalkeeper Robert Green was equal to. Arsenal were quick to dominate proceedings, and some of their best play came down the right hand side with Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Eboue linking up and ghosting past their men to provide some attacking impetus.
Samir Nasri too was to prove a reasonable outlet; his passing and crossing from the right hand side though failed to be finished off by big Danish centre forward Nicklas Bendtner.
Throughout the rest of the first half it seemed like the home side were to grow increasingly nervy, and their final ball was rushed to even trouble the Irons' defence.
Dynamic Mexican Carlos Vela replaced Eboue on the half hour mark, as the Ivorian international couldn't shake off a robust challenge from Scott Parker.
After the break Arsenal continued to threaten, and attacked with intent, but still their forward motions were either nullified or shot wayward.
The visitors packed the defensive regions, and Carlton Cole struck a lonesome figure as he spearheaded a trident, but even his partners in attack were too deep in midfield to amply supply the on-fire Englishman.
Nasri again looked dangerous going forward, and on the 70th minute sent in a cross that Togolese targetman met with aplomb but Hammers glovesman Robert Green easily saved.
During the last ten minutes it became clear that if Arsenal were going to get any joy then this might arrive through set-play, their corners however never troubled the east London outfit.
The Hammers battled their way to a well-earned point, but by the time Steve Bennett blew for full time, the Gunners may have begun to reflect on another two points dropped.
LINE UPS
Arsenal:
Almunia - Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy - Eboue, Diaby, Denilson, Nasri - Adebayor, Bendtner.
West Ham:
Green - Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga - Behrami, Parker, Noble, Collison - Cole, Di Michele.
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