Mikel Arteta praised his Arsenal side for "winning ugly" as they claimed a 2-1 victory over West Ham to move back above Tottenham into fourth place in the Premier League.
The Gunners were not at their fluid best at the London Stadium but emerged victorious thanks to headed goals by centre-backs Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhaes either side of Jarrod Bowen's equaliser.
West Ham subjected the Gunners to long periods of pressure as they tried to respond in the second half but Arteta's team defended resolutely to move two points above Spurs and within three of third-placed Chelsea following their defeat against Everton.
"We won ugly and big teams have to find a way to win ugly when they don't play at their best," Arteta told Sky Sports.
"With the ball we were really poor. We lacked composure, dominance to play the game we wanted to play, but we found a way through set pieces, through defending extremely well.
"To win here is credit to the boys. They showed the spirit we have.
"I'm still digesting a lot of things we didn't do right, but as a team to grow in confidence and to continue with the moment we have, we've won against three big teams in a row."
Holding was named man of the match at the London Stadium but the Sky Sports punditry team were also full of praise for Eddie Nketiah.
The striker did not get on the scoresheet but proved a menace to West Ham throughout after keeping his place in the side ahead of Alexandre Lacazette.
"Nketiah has given Arsenal a different dimension," said Jamie Redknapp.
"When you've got a player like Lacazette, who can't run in behind, he's always coming to the ball.
"It's fine, he links the play, lovely, but you need to spread the play.
"You need to stretch teams and that is what Nketiah
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