Match Preview: Arsenal v West Ham
Not as tasty as next week's derby
A year ago, this tie might have been something to look forward to. But a year removed from a run for a spot in the EUROPA cup, Gianfranco Zola’s side are a shell of their former selves. As in form Arsenal visit Upton Park it sets up to be a case of David versus Goliath for sure.
West Ham seem to be one of those clubs that when you are not playing them, you can get behind or at least they used to be. Right now they seem like a train wreck. The side haven’t won since opening day, a 2-0 win over Wolves. The club is beset with financial issues and is selling off talented players to make up for budgetary shortfalls. Additionally, there is some noise that the club could be bought by a consortium of fans, financed from money in the US. As if that weren’t enough, reports are that Napoli have asked Zola and two of his assistants to quit the club and come manage back in Serie A.
Zola tried to set up a club that did it right. He focused on the youth devleopment system. Nurturing talent within the system and bringing them to the team when ready. He’s also a manager to admire because while his club languish in the relegation zone, the former Chelsea and West Ham man refuses to compromise his managerial principles in order to win. He likes a flowing, passing system, and cites Arsene Wenger as one of his favourite managers and one his system is slightly patterned after. Zola has gone so far to say that he would rather change jobs than change his principles.
“Arsène Wenger is a manager I look up to very much, because of the way he plays and the fact he works with young players. That fits in with the project we are trying to do here.
“Mostly I like his strength of character. He has been through some difficult moments but he never changes his philosophy, always playing attacking football.”
“The situation is difficult because I care about his club and to see us in this position hurts me. When I was a player it was easier to get on with your job, but as manager you have more responsibility.”
Sad to say the situation at Upton Park plays into the Gunners hands. The Gunners are coming off a lackluster performance against AZ Alkmaar in the Champion’s League. They will want to show that they have the mental fortitude to put such performances behind them and capture wins after losses. The Gunners as they are in the league come in firing on all cylinders looking for the fifth straight league win. They lead the league in goals scored with 27 in their last 8 and are 5 clear of the next team.
On the negative side this week is that Tomas Rosicky who Arsene was calling 50:50 on Tuesday is not on the squad. He is suffering from a knee problem. There isn’t a blog or article out there that hopes that this a minor injury and that he features in the side for the North London Derby next week. Given his history with injuries you’d forgive this Arsenal fan if he wasn’t overly optimistic. Additionally, the side will be without Nasri who while playing in the reserves still is not match fit. Djourou, Denilson andWalcott are all out.
However, to be fair an balanced, there are some players returning to the squad he should add to the fire power of the team. Nicholas Bendtner who suffered from a slight groin injury during the international break returns and Crozillian wonder striker Eduardo is also set to return. Admittedly during last week’s league match against at Birmingham there was some concern that we were thin in our striker area with Dudu and Nicky B out. Also with Walcott going down, had another striker gotten seriously hurt last week, there would’ve been some serious issues.
Going into this match, Arsenal also find themselves with a serious goal keeper controversy. All three keepers are back. Vito Mannone who looked real shaky during the Champion’s league tie has been stellar during league play. Manuel Almunia has been suffering the last two matches on the bench while Lukasz Fabianksi returns from his injury. Fabianski has some time before all three should be considered to play but Almunia is likely to be fuming that he hasn’t seen action yet. However, this is not an action without some sort of precedence. Jens Lehmann was once benched with an “illness” and was forced to watch and motivate himself to get back on the squad. Given Almunia’s horrid start to the season (only 53% of shots saved), it is likely that Wenger could keep the Spaniard out a little longer until he is hungry enough to play out of his head.
This match also is a good match to have prior to next week’s North London Derby against Spurs. And given the fact that Spurs have lost and Villa drew during this weekend’s matches, Arsenal can move into third with a win. A win also keeps City in either 4th or 5th place depending on how they finish against Fulham. The great thing about this is that should that all play out, Arsenal will be 3rd with a game in hand to Chelsea, Man United and Spurs.
Arsene Wenger came out during the AGM this week and said the team will win silverware this year. If the Premiership is one of them, then this game is a must win.
How it should play out?
Arsenal are in my opinion the class of the league in terms of their attacking style. They’ve been potent in all expect the Fulham match where they were held to one goal. West Ham hasn’t won since opening day and to make matters worse Arsenal are 4-0 in their last four league matches against the Hammers. The last time West Ham scored against Arsenal was a 1-0 win in 2007. Arsenal are going to prove to much for Zola’s side and should net big early. If form holds for the Hammers they are allowing an average of 2 goals in the first half. Look for the more potent Gunners to best that and score 3 in the first half putting the game clearly out of reach.
Injuries:
Arsenal: Nasri, Rosicky, Denilson, Djourou & Walcott
West Ham: Dyer, Ashton, Boa Morte, Davenport
Starting XI:
Arsenal: Mannone, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Sagna, Song, Fabregas, Diaby, Arshavin, van Persie, Eboue
West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Kovac, Noble, Collison, Cole, Diamanti
Players to watch:
Arsenal: Robin Van Persie – the dutchman is simply on fire – goals in 4 out of 6 league matches. He is not hitting junk shots either they are clinical finishes. He will maintain that and score again.
West Ham: Carlton Cole, the striker has scored in their last three matches at home and in their last 4 all together.
Final Score:
Arsenal: 4
West Ham: 1
