Arsenal v West Ham; Premier League Match Preview
I hate midweek games. Only because I usually forget I have to write a match preview and then work intercedes. So my apologies if this is brief.
Today’s match is the game in hand we’ve all been waiting for. The tie against West Ham that was “postponed” because of the tube strike on Boxing Day. A win for Arsenal strangely keeps them right in the mix for the Champion’s League spot.
Funny to be saying that considering that last two weeks and the overall performance in January. But they would be. Last season at this point we had 36 points and this season we have 34. Both at their time were and are the worst point totals under Arsene Wenger at this time of year for any of his teams.
There are lots of prevailing reasons why this has happened, but one thing Theo Walcott has said and I believe as well, is that we have given too much respect to our opposition. How that manifests itself is laying off defensive pressing and giving the opposition time to pass and create their own chances.
When Arsenal get a rocket up their asses at halftime and begin to press as a team, the create forced errors and open the likelihood of them getting a chance.
I didn’t comment on Chelsea match because my level of disgust at the first half was maddening. But the second half validates this. When Arsenal decided to close down Chelsea’s space and press, they got more of the ball and were much more likely to control the match then Chelsea. But they spent the first half just letting Chelsea play how they wanted to and because of it they paid for it. Forgot the ref’s stupid calls, we simply didn’t come into the match with hunger.
Arsenal need that to win. They can’t play matches in halves. They need a full 90 minute commitment. I’d like to see that. I think this season the matches where they have had a consistent 90 minute effort has shown how good they can be. It’s only when they’ve taken an opponent lightly (Bradford and Swansea) or given too much respect (Chelsea Swansea and City) that they pay for it.
West Ham don’t offer either an opponent you should respect or take lightly. They are just going to try and knock the snot out of you, especially at across the back four where fouling is a regular occurance. Then they will look to lob the ball over the midfield and try and hook up with either Jarvis or anyone else for a goal.
Arsenal need to win. It’s a winnable match (So was Chelsea). Someone said to me today if we lose today they could see some panic buys in the transfer market to which I replied, if we lose today there had better be some firings. Because 3 losses in a row for a team of Arsenal’s stature is criminal.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Whomever lines up in midfield . Diaby is a late fitness test, not because of injury but because of too many minutes in too short a time. Cazorla is gassed. And Jack well, no issues there. So whomever lines up today in the middle of the park will likely be where all eyes are affixed.
West Ham: Diame. If only because if there is transfer business done this January (and I am not convinced there will be), Diame could be auditioning for Arsenal.
Projected Lineups:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Fabianski (back), Gervinho (international duty) Rosicky (calf) Arteta (calf)
West Ham: Collins (hamstring), Chamakh (ineligble), Carroll (knee), McCartney (knee)
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Walcott 9
West Ham: Nolan 5
Assists Leaders:
Arsenal: Podolski 6, Walcott 6, Cazorla 6
West Ham: Vaz Te 2, O’Brien 2, McCartney 2, Nolan 2, Taylor 2
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 3
West Ham: 1
Goals For:
Arsenal (home): 2.5
West Ham (away): 0.5
Goals Against:
Arsenal (home): 1.5
West Ham: (away): 1.4
Last Five:
Arsenal: LLDWW
West Ham: DLWLL
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 15
West Ham: – 3
Match Official:
Referee: Andre Marriner. Matches 14, R0 Y49
Broadcast Information:
US: FoxSoccer Channel 2:30 PM EST
UK: Arsenal Player 17.45 GMT
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
West Ham: 1
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Obviously nothing of note happened in the West Ham match, but at least we didn’t lose (or draw)…..
We’ve got a winnable FA cup match early on Saturday and I wonder if we’ll see any rotation. The squad looks awfully thin and some reinforcements would seem natural, given that it’s a transfer window. With Arteta out and Diaby either rested or re-crocked the DM position looks like a logical spot. Two candidates were on display yesterday. Ramsey looked OK and his willingness to run and run and run mask a lot of problems. Mo Diame looked OK as well but the game was in the bag and then the big injury delay occurred. Maybe we took pity on the Hammers but it’s notable how static we looked after Ox-Cham and Santos came on for Poldolski and Giroud (while Theo shifted central). Or maybe that was the “Diame” effect….. Watching Santi’s (awesome) long passing ability makes me think he could be a fillip further back in our MF, meaning that we could choose to strengthen with a player of similar versatility, i.e., someone who actually can score goals, provide some cover defensively and maybe even exhibit a bit of happiness playing out wide. Too much to ask for in January, of course…..
The bigger match will be ‘Pool in a week and (perhaps) it’s a good spot to go back and revisit the larger questions. They’ve won their cup (last year’s Carling Cup) and they’ve bought big and they’re buying in this window. They’ve also cycled through managers and some would argue they could’ve used their resources better (King Kenny, it might be noted, continues to draw his salary, as does Andy Carroll), but that’s one for the bean counters….. The current manager seems smarter than the last one and maybe has turned things around a bit. Clearly, their American owner is willing to dig deeper into his pockets in an effort to get the club back where it belongs. If they can come and beat us they will be just as likely to get up on the other team from North London (and the 2nd Liverpool team) for the CL spot. Like I say, Big Game….. Longer term, they may face the same existential questions facing Arsenal. Don’t they need a new stadium? Can they truly compete with Chelsea and the Manchester Clubs and the other big European clubs? And if not, what’s the point?
We’re already there but without the more exciting highs and lows (although selling our best player to gift wrap the league title seems kinda low)….. I’d argue that maybe it’s not such a good thing to follow the Liverpool model but the screamers tend to make so much noise because they’re hard of hearing…..
So, like the other guy said, nothing to see here….. We should, however, know more by the end of the month…..
We should know more by the end of the month…or the end of the season…or the Summer…or next October…
It’s been about the future for the last 8 years. We know enough *now*.
oh, there’s a match today?
win lose or draw, nothing of note will occur.