Alex Song's late header denied struggling West Ham a share of the spoils at Emirates Stadium yesterday and kept the Gunners five points behind leaders Chelsea.

It was, though, far from a vintage Arsenal performance as time and again the home side were left frustrated by both some fine goalkeeping from Robert Green, who impressed in front of the watching England coach Franco Baldini.

The Gunners also failed to make the most of decent build-up, while Samir Nasri's long-range free-kick hit the crossbar before substitute Theo Walcott struck the base of a post.

Wenger, however, feels his young side again showed their maturity by not letting the tempo drop, which was eventually rewarded when Song headed in Gael Clichy's cross with just two minutes left.

"It was a battle where we needed to be patient and intelligent, to keep our game structured, which we did well," Wenger said.

"We were unlucky on a few occasions and West Ham defended really well - their keeper had a great game against us as usual.

"Finally we got a goal very late, but it is an important one for us."

Wenger told BBC Sport: "When you drop points it is very frustrating and we were close to doing that, but we have a keep-going spirit and that got us out of it."

Song scored in his third consecutive appearance, having also been on target against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and in the 3-0 win at Manchester City last week.

The 23-year-old Cameroon international has certainly come a long way since joining the Gunners as another youthful prospect from Bastia in August 2005.

"It is a question of confidence," said Wenger. "He got the goal against Man City and that gives you a taste to go in the box

"Against West Ham he had two chances in the first half, which means he has that timing."

As well as bringing Walcott off the bench, Wenger was able to introduce fit-again Nicklas Bendtner for the closing stages.

With Holland striker Robin van Persie also on the comeback trail, the Gunners boss hopes he will soon have extra dimensions to the Arsenal attack.

"That is the luxury you have when everyone is back from injury," he said.

"When they come on, they give you different solutions offensively."

For West Ham, it was another hard luck story which has plagued their season.

However, manager Avram Grant remains ever the optimist, and believes with matches against Birmingham, West Brom and Blackpool coming up, there is no reason to think the Irons cannot start to climb the table.

"Normally when we lose I don't like to say it was good, but the players were great against Arsenal and showed a lot of pride," said the former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager.

"They came up against a team who are in a very good shape - the best I have seen them in during the past years - and we did well.

"If we continue to show the spirits we have shown against Arsenal and also in the last few games and continue to play like this, then we will take points."

Grant added: "We are working on the small things and I think we can do it. Slowly, slowly it is coming.

"We have been a bit unlucky, but you can see the team develops, but there is still a long way to go."