Arsenal went top of the EPL after overcoming a man disadvantage to see off the less-than-robust challenge of relegation-strugglers West Ham.

The Gunners were one-up and a minute away from half-time when Belgian centre-back Thomas Vermaelen tangled with the Hammers’ Guillermo Franco in the penalty area.

The referee’s assistant flagged for a penalty and the referee himself, Martin Atkinson, viewed the foul as denying Franco a clear goalscoring opportunity and duly dismissed Vermaelen.

However, Alessandro Diamanti’s spot-kick was saved by Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia.

And Arsenal successfully regrouped, allowing West Ham minimal sightings of goal after half-time before clinching victory with their own penalty late on.

Brazilian midfielder Denilson gave Arsenal a fifth-minute lead when he played a one-two with Nicklas Bendtner and drove the ball home right-footed from the edge of the box.

West Ham had scarcely threatened until the penalty incident. And even with the man advantage they only came close when Carlton Cole’s turned and hit a left-foot shot against the post from 20 yards on 77 minutes.

Five minutes later, the game was safe when Matthew Upson handled the ball as Cesc Fabregas was about to break into the box. The Spaniard converted the penalty himself.