Following Liverpool's victory at Stamford Bridge earlier this afternoon, and United's failure to beat Everton, Wenger knew just what was at stake.

The Gunners, who had come through a stern test with flying colours to beat Fenerbahce 5-2 away in the Champions League on Tuesday night, certainly had to dig deep for their win.

In the end, an own goal from Julien Faubert following a deflected a shot from substitute Emmanuel Adebayor broke the deadlock with 15 minutes to go. The Hammers' resistance had been held together by inspired West Ham keeper Robert Green, who was somewhat fortunate himself to have escaped what could have been a red card for handling outside his area in the first half.

Togo striker Adebayor wrapped things up in stoppage time, before the Hammers - who have now lost three successive league games - were reduced to 10 men when striker Carlton Cole was sent off for a sliding tackle from behind on Alexander Song.

"It was a big win for us today," Wenger said.

"To come out of it with a frustrating 0-0 would have felt like a wasted opportunity to get closer to the top.

"We knew before the game we could not drop points today.

"West Ham can also feel frustrated because they defended well and gave everything today.

"Green always has the game of his life against us, it is unbelievable and he repeats that every year.

"We had some strikers on the bench and in the end that made the difference when we got some openings as they fatigued in the last 20 minutes."

Wenger revealed he had taken a conscious decision to give Adebayor, who was last season's leading scorer, a rest.

"Last year I over-used him and now we go into a period where we play every three days, which is why I want to rotate a little bit, said the Arsenal manager.

"I have a short squad, a compact one, but of quality. I can only show that by trusting the players."

Adebayor was a target for AC Milan during the summer, but eventually decided to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger feels the Togo striker is showing his commitment to the Gunners cause.

He said: "He fights very hard and came on with 25 minutes left, and fought for every ball - that shows more than all the speeches I can make.

"We have a great spirit in the side, great quality and are very determined to come back to the top."

Arsenal are now four points off leaders Liverpool, and have closed the gap on Chelsea to just one.

Wenger feels this season will be "tight".

He said: "One week ago everyone made Chelsea super-favourites, now it is Liverpool.

"Things change very quickly, which is why it makes it very interesting.

"We were very close last year and with 83 points, many times you would have been champions.

"However, Manchester United had a fantastic second half of the season, we dropped a little bit of our quality and that is it - I still feel any weakness will be punished."

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The Hammers must now regroup and head to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

However, manager Gianfranco Zola maintains his side - who on another day could well have had a penalty for handball against Abou Diaby just before Arsenal's second - are heading in the right direction.

"I know it might look crazy, but I am not worried at all, because we are going to get through this," he said.

"It would be easy for me to have a go at them, but the players' commitment is fantastic and their attitude is perfect.

"They were doing everything I asked them to on the pitch, so I can have no complaints.

"We are just not getting the results and are not playing bad.

"I have faith in them and believe in what they are trying to do.

"We just have to stick together because the results are not far away.

"I have been in this game such a long time and I know in a few weeks all these bad results will be behind us."

However, the Italian coach - who replaced Alan Curbishley in September - was less than impressed with the red card shown to Cole by referee Phil Dowd which will rule the striker out for three matches, and could launch an appeal.

He said: "I was not happy about the tackle, but I do not think it was a straight red card, maybe a yellow would have been better.

"I spoke to the referee and I said that from my position, it was very difficult to accept a red card, because I do not think it was that nasty.

"We will take a proper look at it later on and then we will decide [over an appeal].