Olivier Giroud scored just before half time to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead over West Ham United in their Premier League clash at the Emirates this afternoon.

Theo Walcott could have handed the hosts the lead early on when he got the ball in space on the edge of the box, but he waited too long to unleash the shot, allowing the visitors to clear.

Alexis Sanchez also got forward in the opening 20 minutes after Calum Chambers set him up with a cross in from the right, but Adrian made a diving save to deny the Chilean.

David Ospina came under pressure down the other end shortly after as Matt Jarvis teed the ball up for Kevin Nolan, but the midfielder's half-volley was parried clear.

It was the West Ham keeper who was kept busiest though as Aaron Ramsey, Walcott and Sanchez all had chances in a dominant five-minute spell from Arsene Wenger's side, but Adrian stopped them all.

Adrian's resilience was finally broken in stoppage time when Giroud was picked out by Mesut Ozil, and the Frenchman unleashed a rocket to put the hosts ahead.