Arsenal v West Ham United, Match Preview
Ah, Sam Allardyce how we have missed you. You’re colorful banter with Arsene Wenger was sorely missed last season. Your self-belief that the Neanderthal style of football you espouse to is good enough to land you the Real Madrid job, was humor we’ve just been missing these last few months. It’s good to have you back.
Arsenal travel across London to take on the newly promoted Claret and Blue of West Ham United. The funny thing about this incarnation of West Ham is that right now, they sit 2 points above Arsenal in the table and a lot of pundits are picking the ‘bubble-boys’ to do one on Arsenal.
Any team managed by Sam Allardyce has been a prickly one for Arsenal to deal with. As we mentioned, he espouses a more physical brand of football and one that lived by the moto – When playing Arsenal you have to get extra physical because they don’t like it. It’s the same moto Tony Pulis lives by and it’s the same moto that excuses the antics of players who are trying to give a little more when playing Arsenal.
The key focus of the game from both sides is how effectively Arsenal handle crosses and set-pieces. Arsenal have yet to concede a goal from open play. But get a free kick, cross or corner and there become issues.
Have Arsenal spent enough time this week fixing assignments and understanding to make sure that the coverage mistakes from last week are taken care of. Part of that should be answered with the return of Per Mertesacker to the lineup. Additionally, I’d also start Giroud. Not so much for scoring but when he’s back in the box helping out on corners – you have a strong aerial player that can likely go body for body with the likes of Andy Carroll.
Giroud needs to get off the mark scoring wise but he is much more of a complete player than the likes of Marouane Chamakh who he is wrongly being compared to. He can win balls for teams when everyone is back defending. We’ll need him in the lineup against a side that will likely test our set piece frailties.
Arsenal took a step in the right direction to put the loss to Chelsea behind them when the dispatched Olympiacos in the midweek. Now they will get a chance to further leave it behind by getting back to their winning ways.
The Gunners have only lost once in their last 11 away games with a record of 6W 4D and 1L. They also enjoy a significant amount of success versus West Ham. And even with the supposed return of our defensive frailties (over-stated in my estimation) the club still boast the second-least amount of goals conceded next to last week’s winner Chelsea.
In the era of Wenger no one has been more annoying to the Arsenal manager then Sam Allardyce. But Sam may find that is not the Arsenal he remembers when he last played them. And don’t make any mistake about it – Sam wants his players physical. Last week his team became the first team in the Premier League era to get 8 yellow cards in one game. But there are players in Arsenal that aren’t as soft as he remembers and they are much harder to get off the ball then they have in the past.
If Arsenal manage to get the win, as I suspect they will, it will be Arsene Wenger’s 350th in the Premier League.
How the match should play out:
Being patient works to an extent but QPR v West Ham tried to be patient and West Ham jumped on them to a 2-0 lead with a more up tempo style of play than is normally linked to a Sam Allardyce club. However, when QPR switched things up and became more direct they became problematic for West Ham. While Arsenal still like to be fancy with the ball there is a tendancy for more direct, attacking play that is not typical of Arsenal. Look for Arsenal to try and set the pace and style of play. It’s that which will likely drive the outcome of this match. If Arsenal can set the way the match will go early and snatch a goal within the first 15, its a game that favors Arsenal. If Arsenal decide to play a patient game and let the home side have the best of the ball look for issues to arise.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal. Santi Cazorla. Wasn’t at his best last week vs. Chelsea. This will be his first experience against a Sam Allardyce managed team, Sam will try and have his boys knock the Spanaird off his game If he stays on his game he will create all sorts of problems for the home side.
West Ham. Andy Carroll. Word is that he still faces a late fitness test to be the starter. If he is fit he starts and he provides Sam’s boys with a big, strong target up front.
Projected Starting XI:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Diaby (thigh) Fabianski (shoulder) Rosicky (hamstring) Sagna (match fitness) Szczesny (ankle) Wilshere (match fitness)
West Ham: O’Brien (hamstring) Reid (concussion) Collison (knee) Diarra (thigh)
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Gervinho 3
West Ham: Nolan 3
Assists Leaders:
Arsenal: Cazorla 2
West Ham: Vaz Te 2
Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 1
West Ham (Home): 1.7
Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 0.3
West Ham: (home): 0.3
Last Five:
Arsenal: DWWDL
West Ham: LWDDW
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 6
West Ham: 2
Match Official:
Referee: Phil Dowd. Matches: 3, R1 Y8.
Broadcast Information:
US: Fox Soccer Channel 12:30 PM
UK: ESPN UK 17.30 GMT
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
West Ham: 1
The Final Word.
I don’t make it habit of calling out former Arsenal players in this blog but god, Ashley Cole has once again proven how stupid he really is.
Today, the FA released a statement how it came to the decision to ban John Terry 4 games. In short they found the statements and evidence provided by Terry and his surrogates unbelievable. And they insinuated that Cole was untruthful.
Ashley promptly took to twitter and proclaimed that the FA were “a bunch of twats.” Well, remove for a minute that they are a bunch of twats from the occasion and if this were any business other than sport, Cole would’ve committed would could best be classified as career suicide. As it is he now has to act all contrite and demur (which we know he’s not) in order to convince the FA that he deserves to be called up to the national team again.
I am amazed at how stupid players can be. Especially the lot over at Stamford Bridge. It really is a case of egos gone wild. And it’s also why I like Theo Walcott. Contract issues aside this is a kid who is well grounded and lives a life so different from any other star player that I really just hope he stays just to say he’s ours. Our good guy.
In the mean time, thousands of PR flaks in London heard the “cha-ching” of the cash register at the thought of them taking on Cole to help restore his shitty image to be just crappy. Because didn’t you know, that every time a Chelsea player speaks, a PR flak earns their wings.
Until next time. Stay Goonerish!
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Great game yesterday. We came out the blocks flying, I think that made all the difference to the result in the first half. we controlled the pace of the game, we put the pressure on them rather than the other way round. Unforetunately despite our control they scored a pretty good goal,from open play which is more than Chelski could do. We deserved to go into the 2nd half in the lead but justice was done in the second half.
We were by no means lucky to win this game, despite them coming close to being fortunate on couple of occasions. There was only going to be one winner in reality, so let no one attempt to play down this victory.
West Ham came at us the 2nd half almost did to us what we did to them in the first, they were really adventurous but that is more likely than not to play into our hands, as it did. THe tried and tested method is to keep it tight against the Arsenal, Sam knows this but had a go anyway… The result was therefore typical.
Great to see Oliver score, I didn’t have much doubt he would come good. I can see why people make comparisons with Chamakh. He is the type of player we wanted Chamakh to be, he is good in the air, works hard for the team, however Giroud is simply far more talented than Chamakh and he has a good shot too.
As for Theo I agree with Kiwi, Theo is no innocent. Theo is too big headed he thinks he is better than he is and he needs some humility. Who is he to demand that he should play CF especially in public. Like RvP he has got too big for his boots.
If money has nothing to do with it why is he demanding £100 grand per week? He does not deserve it. And if he is given the CF position it should be when Arsene feels that the time is right. I am not sure that Theo has the attributes for a lone CF anyway. YOu have to be smart to play CF on your own, be able to hold the ball up bring others into play, pace and finishing alone is not good enough as a lone striker, I am not sure Theo is smart enough for the role. Gervinho can play it because as well as his pace , he make very intelligent runs, he reminds me of Ljungberg/Pires in that sense, but I would like to see Theo come on for Gervinho as CF in the odd game to see how he would cope.
What else is there to be said. We won away from home in a very hostile environment to a good Westham team.
Giroud got his goal, Santi bagged his second and our “wannabeastriker” Theo cooly slotted home to show he can play striker even though his goal came from the wing position.
This team will fight for the 4th place trophy once again but for the first time in many years I do like their spirit and they are exciting to watch once again.
@Caribkid, Carib. Have you been to Upton Park?
Hostile?
They blow bubbles.
It is hardly a hostile environment.
It was a good win on the road, but let’s not get crazy here.
We used to win these games every week, with not much sweat… its only been the last 5 or so,
in which “winning on the road”… has become a great difficulty.,, that happens when you sell your
best players, and your “team” is endlessly searching for its identity, because so many players come and go
every season.
Good win. Could have gone wrong on another day… but they came through when they had to…
an encouraging sign… thanks to Theo of course.
Big goal to take the lead, and set up Santi for the 3rd.
@stag133, PS.
It USED to be a HOSTILE environment… maybe in the 70’s and 80’s…
when the famous West Ham Hooligans were running amuck around the countryside.
I was expecting this to look like a Bolton match circa 07. I could not have been more wrong. That was entertaining as all hell. Carroll was a beast. Diame, too. Were it not for a misjudgment by Nolan (and then just a miss). it could have easily been a different result.
Carzola, what can you say? The wife-ish watched the last 20 minutes with me and even she went “Ohhhh” after he scored.
The scoreline was obviously a bit unfair to Hammers. It could have easily gone another way. But, like Ozi, I was expecting a lot of fouls and hoofing…and was pleasantly surprised at how much fun that was to watch. Screw the negatives. For now. I’m just happy being happy after a match.
OK, with the exception of our overnight contributor (kiwi) our friend Stag seems to have choked off discussion. Or maybe everybody, like me, was just breathing a (massive) sigh of relief that we got the points and now we’ve got a couple of weeks to enjoy them. A few players might use that time to get healthier, others might get some confidence in those early rounds of WC qualifying. Fingers crossed nobody gets banjaxed and that Gibbs’ injury was just enough to keep him from wasting his time with England…..
In the end we got the result and maybe that’s all that matters. The difference was finishing and there were 4 really nice ones: Diame, Giroud, Theo and Santi ALL put in more difficult chances than the two (each) that bounced off Andy Carroll’s head and Kevin Nolan’s feet. For this we should be grateful.
Or maybe we should see it for what it is: Our defense is a shambles, our midfield couldn’t really assert a true control over the game and we got quite lucky. Many will equate the positive result with another step forward for Mannone, Mertesacker and Ramsey. It should be noted that all three got beaten for the West Ham goal. My feeling is that if these three are regulars in our starting 11, we are going to continue to need a LOT of luck to match yesterday’s result. Among the rest, Vermaelen also appears very shaky and needs to stop giving away free kicks, start (really) leading the team AND get us some set-piece goals sooner rather than later or his Captaincy (and guaranteed 1st 11 position) needs to be re-thunk.
The big positive is that we didn’t panic going a goal down and when they failed to double or triple that advantage we made them pay.
The key moment in the game was Vaz Te hurting himself kicking Mannone’s head. It was cynical (in the extreme) and justice well done. Before that West Ham had dominated but they needed a goal. With the (very active) player gone and their collective energy used up, the tide shifted. Lucky, lucky Arsenal…..
To be more positive: Giroud showed a lot yesterday. Like Kiwi, I haven’t been to worried about him. His pass and move stuff seems very good for such a big guy. We all expect him to be good with his head (which maybe he isn’t) and not so good with his feet. He may only have the one (left) foot, but I think he’ll be laying off some good balls for Santi and Poldolski (and others) as the season moves on AND, as they say, “you can’t teach size”….
For me it was interesting that we dominated possession and looked solid for much of the 1st half but couldn’t really make chances when West Ham had men behind the ball. It will take a while for this group to learn how to break defenses down and, as much as players like Arteta, Santi and Giroud can keep the ball moving smartly, others (Gervinho, Poldoski, Ramsey and the fullbacks) need to take multiple touches for control but without similar good ideas for pushing it on. Better teams who set out to play on the break and through long balls/set pieces will be tougher. Going a goal (or more) behind (i.e. Chelsea) will not be feasible on a regular basis….
We do, however, seem able to wear teams down. Ramsey’s strong engine shines at this level. Santos seemed able to play 35 minutes for injured Gibbs and Theo is a lovely luxury off the bench. As he’s on his way out, we have to hope that the Ox (or Serge Gnabry or somebody) can fill his shoes. West Ham look decent enough to stay up and some of the better teams will not get the result we did yesterday. On the other hand, let’s not fool ourselves into believing it was a whole lot more than that….
Oooh, before Stagg gets me.
Walcott’s goal was a lovely finish ala Henry. Still not worth precedent-setting silly money. Let’s not rewrite history, we need to remember Arsenal have been offering him a contract extension for some time and he has intentionally played a waiting game to put himself in a strong bargaining position. It is his right to do so. But it does have implications, and it does suggest he’s a bit more wiley and money-conscious than his choir boy persona is conveying. “Just want to be an Arsenal legend”, really? Why then didn’t he just sign an extension?
If he could finish like he did today regularly then Arsenal would be falling over themselves with a seriously big contract – he hasn’t – and therein lies the problem.
@Kiwi, yeah.right on.
sell him. he scores 10 a year, assists another 10.
no off field problems. doesn’t cause any waves. loves the club. wants to be an Arsenal legend.
F*CK THAT!
Sell his stupid ass immediately!
He wants to play striker??!!!!
SELL HIM NOW!
what an ungrateful bastard he is.
@stag133, Loves the club? Isn’t that the same thing we all thought about RvP. Don’t be fooled Theo loves himself. If he went to Chelsea, ManU or City do you think he would play CF? No way ,definitely not in Alex Fergusons team.
Theo is spoilt, Arsene has boosted his ego too much in the name of confidence, now the ego monster has got out of control. If he hasn’t signed by then, Arsene should sell him in Jan, but I think Theo will run down his contract to get more money just like our Russian friend Arshavin.
@stag133, no, you’re skewing what I’ve said. He is an actor in this story not a victim. And he isn’t as good or consistent as he thinks.
@Kiwi, yes. that would be your opinion.
He is a football player, not an actor.
He isn’t playing a victim at all… he isn’t looking for pity… he isn’t tweeting idiotic things…
he isn’t talking to the press every week… he doesn’t say shit, even when he is on the bench.
All he is doing, is WAITING.
Waiting to see if Wenger will give him a chance at striker, or not.
If he doesn’t, then he will likely leave the club, for another which will give him that chance.
And what happens then, is the HATERS will skewer him for leaving… just like they did to all the others
got sold… he’s just choosing not to sign a contract, or ask to leave (yet).
the ball is in Wenger and Arsenal’s court … completely.
they can let him walk away at season’s end, and no hard feelings from Theo… he’ll just
take his production to a team that appreciates it.
@stag133, He wants to play striker. So do I. Doesn’t mean it will happen though. Let’s face it, he has NEVER played striker. Not for England. Not for Arsenal (except maybe Carling Cup games. Not for Southampton. Not sure exactly where he got the idea that’s where he should play there. And yes, he is talking to the media about it. That’s why we all know he wants to play there so I wouldn’t say he is as innocent as you make him seem.
Giroud scored a very good opening goal. Quite honestly I wasn’t worried about the guy. He showed enough in his general play and in the misses that attracted attention to show me that he has the intelligence, skills and footballing brain that one would hope for in an Arsenal CF.
Cazorla had his fizz back again, great all-round game. His regular shooting ability is nowhere near as good as you might expect from a guy with his talent, but the third goal was quite exquisite – and in keeping with his talent (if you see what I mean). Hopefully, his advanced and free role will allow him to develop his confidence and shooting accuracy because quite frankly he’d step up to an even higher level if he could develop a finishing ability akin to Pires.
Podolski seems like a player who is quiet and then ‘appears’ during a game and participates in a money play – be it an assist or a goal. Watch next time, he has this way of putting his head down and driving forward – which often ends in a decisive play. His cross for Giroud’s goal was excellent.
It is interesting that a ‘Big Sam’ led side didn’t worry us unduly. It does hint at a form of progress in this side. Yes, the Chelsea result was frustrating in that it showed up some weaknesses that we badly want to see the back of. But… overall there does seem to be a sense of progress.
Interesting to read Tony Adams comments in the last couple of days. He seemed to fear a bit for Bould, thinking he has a hard task trying to teach defence in the context of a Wenger side. He confirms what many of us think, that Wenger benefited enormously from the GG defence he inherited and then was hugely fortuitous that Dein bought the ready-man England CB leader Campbell to replace Adams. Since that time it’s been all a bit scatterbrain really. Can Bould get enough space/leeway/support to train the Gibbs/Vermaelen/Mertesacker/Jenkinson unit??? Vermaelen increasingly looks loopy, but with Mertesacker and the emerging fullbacks perhaps Bould can work on them in training.
Theo Walcott.
Game winning goal.
Sets up the 3rd.
Have to get rid of that stiff.
He sucks.
@stag133, Yes, well, Theo is our guy…. I’ve got
a bit of a response and I’ll try to cut and paste it here. With no “edit”
function, we’ll have to see….
Sarcasm seems to be your path to Nihilism and you’ve achieved an almost poetic level with the above post. You need to work on it a bit and maybe try and fit it into haiku form…. Of course, I’m still trying to figure out the point of it all. I THINK it’s an attempt to shame ANY would be supporter of the club by berating your imagined “fan” (over and over and over) with vitriol. Here in Spain, they might call it, “tilting at windmills”……
I will throw some actual thoughts about Theo out. Yes, he did finally do his thing off the bench yesterday, but maybe West Ham were already beaten by their own ineptitude (see above). Finishing WAS the difference and Theo was a big part of the team that could. Still, does this mean that he should be our highest played player? Should that person be somebody who any manager would be foolish to start in most matches given teams that wish to park the bus? If he can only play well on the break, in behind defenses, what do you do with a guy like Theo, in the usual situation?
The answers here are obvious, but the irrational hater will gloss over them. In truth, I would like to keep Theo and I’d like to give him and 15 others a pay raise. Given that ownership/management will only do so by taking more from the fans or selling off our best assets (players) I’m not sure Theo playing out his contract (holding the club to ransom) is the protest that will (or should) break the resolve of management.
Once again, it seems appropriate for the hater to STOP SUPPORTING THE TEAM. ManU and RVP play today. The great Ade/Kolo/Nasri/Clichy team thumped Sunderland yesterday. QPR are still struggling early, but I think they’ll get it together eventually. Why shut down legitimate discussion here through the relentless sarcasm? I know it’s hard to come to grips with the conflicting emotions of an Arsenal win. Deep down, I think it still makes you happy and I think we should explore that next session. Unfortunately we’re out of time today…..
@highburyterracesteve, are you lost in space?
if you truly believe that I can “shut down legitimate discussion”… then you have to go get some wine and tapas quickly.
It’s a BLOG.
I can say whatever I like… you don’t have to comment on it. nobody does. they can simply go on to the next post.
NOBODY, in their right mind, reads my sarcastic posts, and says… “I am not going to post anything after seeing that”.
If they do, then they really need to seek some help or solace elsewhere.
Theo does not need to be our highest paid player. Frankly, I 100% believe him, when he says it is NOT ABOUT MONEY.
He seems well grounded, probably knows he’s paid handsomely to kick a ball, and wants to be a striker.
Does that seem really crazy to you? Outlandish? Petulant?
Doesn’t to me. Seems like a guy who wants to emulate his hero, Thierry Henry, and become a legend at the club.
If Wenger has no intention of letting him see what he can do at striker, then perhaps he realizes he has to move on.
I mean, just about everybody he’s played with has had to move on!
Have a good day, and go watch the game that stops the world… Barca v Madrid.
I’m going to stick my neck out and predict an absolute dull-fest. Really going out on a limb here.. lol
how can you possibly keep
Koscielny out of the line-up.
He’s a revelation!
West Ham will be so disappointed if
he doesn’t start… he’d surely result
in a goal or assist, just not sure for which side!
;)
Yous lot is gonna lose – Mmwwwaaahhhaaahhhhaaaa COYI :-)
@thegamesgonecrazy.com, What’s COYI? Come one you… ?