Arsenal are being held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United following the opening half of this evening's Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium.

© PA Photos

After an even start to the match, the visitors took the lead in the 20th minute as Jack Collison fired the ball in from the edge of the box from a corner.

However, the Gunners got themselves level three minutes later when Lukas Podolski smashed the ball home from 18 yards.

© PA Photos

The German could have put his side in front with 10 minutes left to play in the half, but he struggled to make a decent contact with the ball from close range following Olivier Giroud's pass.

West Ham had a glorious chance to go back in front with minutes remaining in the half, only for Per Mertesacker to clear Carlton Cole's effort off the line after the striker had flicked the ball past the onrushing Wojciech Szczesny.