THEO WALCOTT SCORED twice in three second-half minutes as Arsenal came from behind to beat struggling West Ham 3-1 at Upton Park.
The England winger’s quickfire double got Arsenal’s title hopes back on track after a run of three Premier League games without a win and ensured London rivals West Ham dropped into the relegation zone.
Arsene Wenger’s side had to respond to falling behind to Carlton Cole’s 46th minute tap in following a mistake from Wojciech Szczesny.
Walcott levelled in the 68th minute with a shot that ought to have been kept out by Adrian, before sending a powerful header home after meeting a cross from the returning Lukas Podolski, who was introduced after Aaron Ramsey had hobbled off with a muscle strain.
Podolski himself sealed the win 11 minutes from time, marking his first appearance since August after a lay-off with a hamstring injury in style with a well taken goal from Olivier Giroud’s lay-off.