This was always a home banker so the result shouldn't be too much of a surprise, but I was hopeful that we might upset Arsenal as we have in the past and barring a superb penalty stop from Almunia that might just have been possible. As it was though, the title-chasing home side always had enough in reserve to thwart West Ham who never really offered enough threat up front to trouble the home team.

If there was a particular disappointment it was that, though I understand we might have been out passed by the Arse, it was disturbing to see us outfought; the men in red crisper and more determined in the tackle and often coming away with the ball in what might otherwise have been dangerous build-up situations.

Almunia penalty save ©Getty Images

West Ham were behind as early as the fifth minute after exerting early pressure. As happened so often in the game, Song's tight tackle broke up a Hammers attack and seconds later the ball was at the other end of the pitch and Denilson was stroking home after good work by Bendtner. It might have signalled bad news for West ham but they kept a grip of the game as Arsenal failed to find a final ball to punish them further. Hammer's chances were few; a Diamanti free kick from a dangerous position and a good cross from Stanislas that just eluded Mido but they seemed to find a way back into the game just before half-time when they were controversially awarded a penalty.

Vermaelen and Franco chased a long ball into the area, Franco went tumbling and the linesman waved for a foul. It was one of those falls that prompts screams of penalty from fans in the ground and in the pub but it did look a tad harsh in replay. Nevertheless, once the foul was given the referee had no option but to send the Arsenal defender off. It looked fortuitous for West Ham but the opportunity went begging as Diamanti's well hit penalty was turned away by Almunia.

Still, down to ten men, West Ham must have had hopes of getting something from the game and exerted some possessional pressure even if most of it seemed to be played 18 yards in front of Arsenal's goal. ln retrospect the Hammers probably didn't offer much hope even when Cole and then McCarthy came on as subs, but watching the game and certainly after Carlton Cole's excellent shot on the turn that struck the post, there was a feeling that a decent break could turn the game but when it came it was the wrong way for watching Hammers fans. In the 83rd minute Upson was adjudged to have handled the ball and Fabregas stepped up to end the game from the penalty spot.

Disappointing then but I think most West Ham fans were looking at the next two games at home rather than hoping to pick something up from the last two away fixtures. The problem is now is that West Ham's confidence must be rock-bottom and they can't afford a slip-up at home otherwise they may not recover.