Following Liverpool's victory at Stamford Bridge earlier this afternoon, and United's failure to beat Everton, Arsene Wenger's side knew just what was at stake as they looked to keep pace with the Barclays Premier League leaders.
The Gunners - fresh from a fine 5-2 Champions League trashing of Fenerbahce in Turkey - certainly had to dig deep for their win, which came courtesy of an own goal from Julien Faubert when he deflected a shot from substitute Emmanuel Adebayor late in the second half, which was harsh on inspired West Ham keeper Robert Green, before the African wrapped things up in stoppage time.
Nevertheless, it is these such keenly-contested clashes which Wenger's young squad will have to come through if they are to have a say in the destiny of the title come May - and on this afternoon's evidence, they could still just have the final word.
Arsenal were led once more by captain William Gallas, fit again following a thigh problem.
However, both he and fellow France veteran Mikael Silvestre were given plenty to concern themselves during the opening stages by a busy West Ham frontline.
After 10 minutes, it needed a fine tip over from Manuel Almunia to deny the lively David di Michele, who powered in a 20-yard drive which looked set for the top right-hand corner.
Arsenal were being out-manoeuvred in midfield, were Alexander Song, pushed forwards from defence, and Spanish maestro Cesc Fabregas were yet to strike up an understanding.
Winger Theo Walcott had been anonymous, but burst into the game on 20 minutes.
The England man turned his marker just inside the West Ham half before scampering away towards goal down the right.
After riding two challenges on the edge of the box, he darted inside and unleashed a fierce drive which cannoned off the top of Green's crossbar.
Although both Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner were both well placed in the middle, given his current form, Walcott could perhaps be forgiven for being somewhat selfish.
The all-action teenager was in the thick of things again when an intelligent chest down from Van Persie 12 yards out put the ball into his path. However, despite getting a shot away, Green somehow pulled off a superb reflex save down to his right.
West Ham - who were out to avoid a third straight league defeat - needed something to relieve the pressure as the half-hour mark approached.
It came following a quick break when Craig Bellamy chased down a long ball ahead of Silvestre.
The Wales striker drilled in a low, first-time effort from the edge of the penalty area - which Almunia deflected over with his legs.
Bendtner chased what looked a lost cause on the left, before cutting inside to force another fine save from Green at full stretch.
After a low-key start to the second half, the visitors again maintained a spell of patient build-up.
It was almost rewarded when Samir Nasri picked out Walcott on the right, and his low centre was put up over his own bar by the back-tracking James Collins.
The West Ham defender then made a timely intervention to out-muscle van Persie as the Dutchman looked to get on the end of a long ball into the penalty area.
As the hour mark passed, Bellamy got in down the West Ham left - but Gallas was on hand to scramble the loose ball away.
Arsenal went close again when first Collins blocked Walcott's angled effort and then Van Persie's follow-up flew through a crowded six-yard box and hit Lee Bowyer.
With 25 minutes left, Wenger made a double change as Adebayor and Abou Diaby - who had played so well in Turkey - were introduced, replacing Nasri and Walcott.
Green was having an inspired afternoon and made another fine one-handed save to keep out Van Persie's low, angled drive.
When the England stopper was finally beaten by a stinging 25-yard free-kick from the Dutchman, his luck held as the ball cannoned off the base of the post and bounced away.
Arsenal, though, finally got the breakthrough with quarter of an hour to go when Adebayor weaved his way into the area and hit a low shot back across goal.
With Bendtner lurking in the six-yard box, the unfortunate Faubert stuck out a boot which diverted the ball past Green.
Adebayor should then have done better when following up his own shot, only to stab over from close range.
The Togo frontman eventually made sure of what could yet prove to be three vital points in an intriguing title race when he latched on to a long pass up field from Bendtner to round Green and smash the ball into an empty net.
To compound the misery for West Ham, referee Phil Dowd showed striker Carlton Cole what seemed a somewhat harsh straight red card for a sliding tackle from behind on 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 Wenger. 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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