Arsenal needed a huge slice of good fortune as only a linesman’s oversight ruled out a ‘goal’ for Frederic Kanoute before Ljungberg hit the crucial first for his side on 77 minutes and set up Kanu three minutes later.

However, after rescuing his side against Ipswich, Ljungberg rose to the occasion for the second time in four days as he struck the crucial blow against the Hammers with just 13 minutes left.

Bergkamp was the cool creator, cutting inside from his right flank role with his radar twitching for signs of a forward burst.

Ljungberg did not disappoint. Picking his moment to perfection, he stole into space and calmly clipped his first-time shot into the far corner.

Highbury erupted in relief and just three minutes later, with the pressure having been eased, it was 2-0 as Kanu struck a volley into the ground and past James from a cross by Ljungberg as victory was secured.