A season of expectation threatens to serve up joy and despair in equal measure for Arsenal's long suffering supporters.

By the time that Arsene Wenger leads out his players for the FA Cup final against Hull City on May 17 his side will either have secured that all-important fourth place in the Premiership that gives them the opportunity for Champions League football, of left ruing a season that promised much but ended in bitter disappointment.

Arsenal needed to beat Sam Allardyce's West Ham United if they wanted to get back into the top four ahead of Everton.

They did so, through a pair of goals from Lukas Podolski, and a strike from Olivier Giroud - despite conceding the lead to the side from east London.

"We know we have to win our games and hope Everton slip up," said Wenger, of Roberto Martinez's in-form side, who host Crystal Palace Tuesday night. "Let's concentrate on our job."

They came into this encounter not having won in their last four league matches and having kept just one clean sheet in last 12 matches.

West Ham took the lead on 40 minutes after Matt Jarvis headed in from close range after the visitors had applied pressure on Arsenal's goal.

Podolski equalised with a low shot before half time. Arsenal appeared much stronger after the break, and were ahead when Giroud finished well on 55 minutes after controlling a lofted pass superbly.

Podolski completed the win.

Wenger praised his much-maligned striker Giroud, especially after a poor miss in the first half when clean through on goal.

"Olivier is a great guy with a great mentality," said Wenger.

"At halftime he came in and was very down because he missed a great chance but he responded well in the second because mentally he is a strong guy."

Arsenal visit Hull on Sunday looking to build upon this victory.