Hammers grab draw with Gunners

Arsenal threw away the chance of a fifth straight Premier League win as West Ham battled back to earn a 2-2 draw at Upton Park on Sunday.

The Gunners had looked in complete control following first-half goals from Robin van Persie and William Gallas.

However, Carlton Cole pulled a goal back before substitute Alessandro Diamanti netted a late penalty.

West Ham finished with 10 men when Scott Parker was shown a second yellow card, but were not to be denied a much-needed positive result.

Gianfranco Zola's men had shown plenty of early promise, when Cole's drive was charged down before again being undone by some poor defending.

Arsenal slowly started to get themselves on top, with Robert Green standing up well at the near post to palm Van Persie's angled drive behind for a corner.

At the other end, Vito Mannone - again preferred in goal to Manuel Almunia - needed treatment after being clattered by James Tomkins when coming to collect a corner.

Arsenal felt they had a strong shout for a penalty when, on 11 minutes, Van Persie's strike appeared to hit Matthew Upson, the former Gunners defender, on the arm, but referee Chris Foy thought otherwise.

Eventually, though, the visitors took the lead on 16 minutes.

Abou Diaby fed full-back Bacary Sagna on the overlap down the right.

The French defender whipped the ball across the six-yard box, where Green came to palm it away, only to collide with Tomkins, leaving Van Persie free to slot into an empty net for his sixth goal of the season.

West Ham were reduced to 10 men when Parker, already booked, was shown a second yellow card for deliberately falling on the ball as Fabregas charged clear.

Diaby was substituted for Eduardo as Wenger went for the win.

However, the Hammers were not to be denied during four minutes of stoppage time, when Green somehow kept out van Persie's header.