EPL Match Day 10: Arsenal v West Ham; Match Preview
Colossal Beating or Colossal Letdown?
One team is second and one is last. One team is on fire the other not so much. Sound familiar – well okay, West Brom weren’t in last but they weren’t exactly lighting up the league. That is until they came to the Emirates and ran riot against Arsenal. So, any desire to look past a wounded West Ham side should quickly be discarded.
Remember for whatever reason, West Ham always decides to get up and play against Arsenal. Okay, it is a London derby of sorts and they are always easy to get up for. But West Ham has proven to be a boggey team of sorts. Sure we beat them 2-0 at the Emirates last season. But in the middle of the season they also managed to claw back from a 2-0 drubbing to make it a 2-2 draw. The good thing is Diamanti the man who did it and Gianfrancola Zola, the manager who inspired it are both gone.
The task though must seem hard for the “staying up” challenged side. In 5 of their last 6 meetings with Arsenal they have failed to register a point. They have only scored a total of 7 goals so far this season (versus 25 for Arsenal). With the exception of their 1-0 win over Man City, West Ham have conceded goals in every one of their league matches this season.
Throw in the fact their captain and former Arsenal player Matthew Upson is listed as doubtful and there certainly is a mountain to climb. So, on the surface the Gunners come into this match very much the opposite of their London mates. They emphatically won in the midweek tie for the Carling Cup against Newcastle and they ran rough shod over title contenders, Man City in an exciting 3-0 win. Which is why if I am Arsene Wenger the only thing I am preaching this week, is don’t let off the gas pedal.
Arsenal can ill afford let downs like they had against West Brom. With the top of the table as congested as the bottom, a let down could result in significant points lost. The club has to attack from the get go and has to make West Ham dread its visit to the Emirates. Speed kills and Arsenal have lots of it to go along with the creativity. You beat teams like West Ham by using your speed and getting behind the defence – a porous one at that and let your goal scorers go.
No mamby pamby “oh we’re tired because of the Carling Cup” attitude. You have to play this game as you would a game against Chelsea, United, City or Spurs, with absolute heart. That is the mentality these not so young guns need to take in to any match that isn’t against a big time team. If I see that than it will really solidfy in me that this team is for real and has arrived.
It won’t hurt that even if we have a lethargic lead – you know 1-0 going into the half with the goal coming in the 35th minute – to have players like Walcott coming off the bench. He does seem like he has something to prove and I’d let him go at it. Cesc Fabregas whether he is trying to orchestrate a summer move remains to be seen, but he is just as possessed as anyone I have seen and sure he can’t possibly be up for every match but he needs to put this team on his back and take them for a ride. Even if it means doing it all season.
For me the real gut check begins now. We’ve shown we can play with a good team. Now we need to show we can dominate a lesser team. We do that and do it consistently, I will agree with many who now believe that silverware (of any sort) is within our grasp.
How this Match Should Play Out:
I expect this match to play out exactly like I think it will. It will be faced paced and Arsenal will press the attack. I do not think West Ham have the heart nor desire to hang around like they have in the past. Avram Grant is on the hot seat and the club is consistently mired in controversy and it shows on the field. Of course I always urge caution but I know if the Arsenal team I saw on Sunday of last week shows up, West Ham don’t stand a chance.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Samir Nasri looks to have taken his game to a new level this season. He isn’t injured (yet) and he is showing a directness that he hasn’t shown in the previous two seasons. Next to Fabregas and probably Chamakh is probably been our best player this season. And 7 goals in all competitions don’t hurt either.
West Ham: Carlton Cole according to the Guardian Cole “has scored more EPL goals (38) than any other player without ever scoring more than one in a single match.”
Probable Starting XI:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Wilshere (suspended -1) Almunia (elbow) Vermaelen (achilles) Van Persie (ankle) Ramsey (ankle) Frimpong (knee) Gibbs (knee) Diaby (ankle)
West Ham: Piquionne (leg -D) Upson (hamstring – D), Collison (knee) Hines (knee) Kurcuz (knee) Hitzlsperger (thigh)
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 2
West Ham: 0
Last 5:
Arsenal: DLLWW
West Ham: DWDDL
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Nasri 7 (4 league) Walcott 6 (4 league) Chamakh 6 (3 league) Arshavin 5 (2 League)
West Ham: Parker 4 (2 League) Piquionne 3 (2 League)
Match Officials:
Referee: Mike Jones
Assistant Referees: Dave Bryan & John Flynn
Fourth Official: Keith Hill
Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 10:00AM EST
UK: ???? 1500 BST
Feeds:
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GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
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YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
West Ham: 0
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Sounds like some thing lots of baby boomers ought to study. The feelings of neglect are there in numerous levels when a single is more than the hill.
There is a depth thing starting to emerge – but only time will show us whether it is robust enough.
The following is what seems to be emerging as our starting line-up and I’ve included the back up in brackets. A couple of names are stated in faith.
………………Chamakh(Bendtner)
Arshavin(Rosicky)……………..VanPersie(Nasri/Walcott)
………..Wilshere….Song….Fabregas (Diaby/Denilson)
Clichy(Gibbs)..Vermaelen..Koscielny..Sagna (Eboue) (CB: Squillaci/Djourou)
……………………..you know
Now, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves and pretend all is rosy in the AFC garden. RvP and Verm are still out and it would take a brave man to bank on Van Persie staying fit even when he does return. But, there are a few things emerging to like. There are a few answers emerging to replace some of the perennial questions and frustrations. I also like the fact that a guy like Chamakh can be rested without the sense that the team shape will implode, and we don’t (seem to) have any long term dysfunctional couples ala Gallas/Toure stinking out the dressing room – replaced by the ‘interesting’ duo of Kos & Squil. Again on Chamakh it’s like we have eventually happened upon another spinal player. Another jigsaw piece, this time at CF a bit like Song was last season to the CM/DM area. Wilshere too has that look of a really serious addition even at 18.
One last positive is the attitude thing. I just sense an improvement in the fight and application levels. This type of thing is too illusive to pinpoint, but I like the attitude that the new additions seem to have brought. A sense of wanting to be at the club and play and….. perhaps win. The midfield of Wilshere, Song and Fabregas isn’t big but it can probably hold its own in most encounters.
Anyways, the winter will test them out…..
Naturally success and failure in football is defined by a very fine line. Take the West Ham match, we were 2 minutes away from another so-called “crisis”. Song scored, so it became a “never-say-die” glory.
Same applies to Man U’s 99 CL win, or John Terry’s CL final penalty miss. Michael Thomas could have been guilty of committing the history’s greatest miss instead of becoming Arsenal’s greatest clutch time hero…
A very fine line.
One thing for sure though is – I have never seen any Arsenal side in my life with such a DEPTH as the current side. In terms of talent, I believe we have the deepest squad in the whole of Premiership.
As I said last season – if we don’t go on and win anything with this set of players, they will forever be remembered as THE most underachieving Arsenal side, or indeed, the Premiership side ever.
Arsene Wenger has done a great job assembling such a group of talent. If we still fail to win anything, our manager should be the last man to be blamed. Blame the players. AW been talking up them with every opportunity he gets, and if the players still don’t believe in themselves, and don’t wanna try hard enough to win medals, there’s nothing else anyone could do.
LOL.
no comment.
will charge u for copyright again!
The most encouraging sign this season so far to me is a few of our players have up their game. Most notably Nasri, Walcott and Wilshere.
Nasri this season reminds me of Pires in his second season with Arsenal – starting to take off.
Walcott at the past at times struck me as someone who’s lost on the pitch. That blank look on his face, like he didn’t really know what he’s doing. His game hasn’t really improved as much as the media made him out to be, but he seems to have started playing with a sense of purpose on the field, and for the first time since he joined Arsenal, playing with fire under his belly. I am a firm believer of body language tells. And Theo has been playing like a man (or indeed a boy) with a mission.
As for Wilshere, I gotta admit, I am surprised. I always believe he got talent. But I never thought he could make an instant impact like he’s been showing so far. This is afterall his first spell of run as starter in the first team.
To me, however, the biggest difference is Chamakh. Fans from rival clubs been calling him a diver, or complain about the amount of penalty he won. Yet the way I see it, he has given us something we didn’t have last season – someone to get behind the opposition back line. That explains why he has won so many penalties.
With our midfield creative force, when you got a striker who could get behind the opposition back 4, you know our creative players will be able to find him with a killer pass. Afterall, creativity is our biggest strength. But it’s pointless to have a great quarterback yet without a great receiver. Chamakh has given us this – upgraded our penetration game.
When u got a striker who can get behind the defense, with him one on one with the ‘keeper, defenders would have no choice but to either foul him or let him score.
And yes like Kiwi pointed out – we don’t even miss van Persie at the moment.
Last season I always insisted van Persie was our MVP. Not because he’s the best player, but he’s definitely our most important player. For a simple fact that – he’s the only one who be able to play the lone striker role effectively for us last term. But now with the addition of Chamakh, van Persie is no longer a player we couldn’t do without.
To me, it’s always good when a team don’t need to over rely on one or two individual stars.
Fred, I’m not saying we should play without a DM. I’m only praising the fact that Song has an intuitive ability to be in the right place at the right time to score goals. It’s always nice to have someone in the side that can do that. Clearly, he’s been given a license to go forward when he can. He’s been very clever with his movements as teams haven’t seemed to figure out they need to mark him in open play. He’s also scoring goals that aren’t being played directly to him but he just happens to be there when someone makes a mistake.
Kiwi and Steve, I think you’re right in recognizing how much stronger Arsenal will be this season. It’s a point I tried to make a few weeks ago. Ten games in, Arsenal are very much in contention for all four trophies. This is all with a bunch of back-ups and newbies making up the spine of the side for most of those games. Chamakh, Koscielny, Squillaci, Djourou, Wilshere, and Fabianski have all done an excellent job. What I really love is the strength of our backups will soon rival that of the unbeaten team. All of those guys are continually getting better.
The only place there is a significant drop in quality depth is at striker. CF is working itself out as we speak. Bendtner will soon be back to full fitness, thereby relieving Chamakh of his workload with van Persie returning to full training this week. I think Wenger has delayed van Persie’s return to try and ensure he doesn’t have another recurrence from the ankle. We would have been screwed if Chamakh picked up a knock, which is why I wanted to atleast keep Simpson until January.
Cover for Song is also relevant. It hurt losing Frimpong but hopefully Ramsey will be back by January. Wilshere, Diaby, and Denilson have also looked to take on more responsibility. Even Fabianski and Almunia are playing better this season. I think Arsenal are in good shape and will win a trophy this season. Time will tell. Time always tells.
As the minutes drained out of the West Ham match I was left thinking this could either be another lost opportunity or we were quite capable of scoring a late goal. Is the later thought a sign of our progress? Perhaps.
We’ve just clicked the 10 EPL games mark. That’s a useful point at which to take stock. Ten games plus a handful of cup matches lets you consider how we’re travelling without it being the usual kneejerk game-on-game assessment.
So after 10 title games?
The additions:
Chamakh, Kos and Squil – they all get a tick for me at this early stage in their Arsenal tenures. They all present with the attribute you look for in (more) mature signings – that ability to contribute meaningfully straight away. Chamakh is excellent, he’s the right shaped player for our system, although I sensed against West Ham that it may be timely that Bendtner is returning. We need to guard against flogging Chamakh in his first season. There is no reason why their roles can’t reverse in some games with Bendtner starting and Chamakh being a sub.
Wilshere – a fantastic (internal) addition, he truly is a little Fabregas in the making. To fit like a glove in a team like Arsenal at 18 and in a role that isn’t ‘natural’ says everything.
Injuries:
Not surprisingly they continue to blight us. Anyone remember Messr Van Persie? Vermaelen joins the throng who pick up an innocuous injury and then just stay out perpetually. Rosicky has at least surfaced – although his batteries are likely to take a long time to fully recharge.
Green shoots?
My thoughts on the inadequacy of Walcott and Bendtner over the last 4 years are well known. We’ve relied upon them when they’ve simply not been up to the job. Are they improving? Well, Walcott has at least started to show some attacking coherence in his game. The player who provided a ‘whow’ cameo once every 2 years is starting to ‘do it’ a bit more often. Is it here? Only time will tell. And only time will tell whether he is over his own injury issues. With Bendtner I’m a little more sanguine with him playing the role of deputy to Chamakh (if that is indeed how it pans out). He can score a goal and with Chamakh as a role model he may actually improve more quickly.
Was that the easy 10?
In the later half of Wenger’s reign we have traditionally started reasonably well (as we have this season) and then flumped in Nov/Dec and then again in the clutch. There is no doubt we’ve had a comfortable start to the season (draw wise), Nov/Dec sees a run of really testing games. Games where we’ll need to really improve to take points. Nov/Dec will sort us out. If we pass that test then it will be the longevity test. Can we last the distance in the clutch?
Lasting the distance:
We look to have quite a bevy of attacking talent – yet a closer inspection reveals just how much we need that quantity. RvP, Rosicky and Walcott all need careful management (re fitness) – they can’t be over-played. So when the games come thick and fast and the weather is cold wet and horrid these guys will be used sparingly (assuming they’re even fit). Vela (as an option) is irrelevant despite the strong support he enjoys on this site. So a high burden falls on Chamakh, Arshavin and Nasri and perhaps the returning Bendtner. That’s not a lot.
Indeed, right through the squad we seem to have an injury thread – players that just seem overly susceptible to breakdown. Lasting the distance will require those players proving themselves to be fitter rather than fragile.
Stepping back ‘now’ or later is important to evaluate, not just the players, but how well the manager
has done.
What were the issues at the end of last season (for me).
#1 goal keeping void
#2 an obvious lack of experience available from the bench.
#3 at CB – aging and inconsistency
Starting with keeper but still with a guarded optimism, we have 3 in a row clean sheets, and hours of steady play at this position v. last season; bravo to Fabianski and Szczesny.
With Vermaelen out, centerbacks, Kos, Squill, and Djourou – steady play.
Knock on wood, there seems a better attitude and conviction.
Most should agree that we have seen consistent play from Eboue (at right or left back; a better version of Denilson; a focus to prove something from Nasri; Wilshere’s contribution and growth; and an available Rosicky.
There are still many unanswered questions abt the team.
Will the same Ramsey return in January to give us even more options?
What about the return of RvP? How will he respond to competition from Chamakh, Bendtner,
and Theo?
Can we maintain our good form?
Can the team overcome adversity, discard the label of youngsters, and lay their mark in the league?
Half time in the Northeast Derby and Newcastle lead 3-nil (!?!), with their 2nd goal coming with an (interfering) player in an offside position. What’s good for the goose, or something….
It’s a whole ‘nother sort of game up there and fired up by this victory and with a week off (assuming no big fights in practice) I imagine they’ll be pretty fired up to give us a right kick up the Arse. We’ll need to come back from the Ukraine healthy, not too tired and ready to stand our ground. It would help having a “modern” era ref in charge, but we shouldn’t count on it….
After yesterday’s troubles with a foot-of-the-table club, there are no matches we can take lightly, no matter our long travels, etc., etc.
Well, the excitement of the late goal sorta laid me low for the whole day yesterday….Sometimes a little less drama might be nice….
Anyhow, It’s interesting that Song (and maybe Clichy) were heroes and that the more creative players were denied. IMO Arshavin and Cesc put forth solid efforts but are maybe compromised by their fitness. Nasri, technically and physically, is improving steadily but is far from being an imposing athlete. His best chances at the top level will always come from balls that fall to him or get created by others. Theo WAS the super sub, and opened up the match, although it could be argued that Grant’s decision to bring on Cole (to try and win the match) rather than an extra defender also helped….
The question of whether or not the eventual savior(s) should be pushing forward searching for goals is intriguing. Sagna, probably should have been rewarded for his forays as well. Clearly, we’re trying for an all-out attacking ideal, One-nil to the Arsenal yesterday nothwistanding. In the last thread I voiced concerns about the stress this puts on our rather thin cadre of defenders and Fred, above, wonders how pushing Song forward will play out as the season moves on and the matches get bigger. I have to agree….
Again we’re seeing an idealistic approach from our manager which somewhat discounts the idea of preserving certain players for certain roles. We’re playing 3 in central MF with rotation forward and back assumed. With Wilshere and (hopefully) Ramsey joining the likes of Denilson, Diaby, Rosicky, Song and Cesc, there’s plenty of skill AND mobility, but it’s asking a lot of our defense to COUNT on these guys shutting down the space in front of them. Can it work? Certainly, in theory, it could. Still, it would seem that these guys will need to score more goals than they help concede. Fun to watch if you’re a neutral, another reason to wear darker underwear if you live and die with the team….
Song did the job at the end yesterday, and his earlier chances weren’t so bad either. He’s big and imposing and reasonably skilled for someone his size. Watching him as long as we have we still see him as slow and ponderous, but his offense has improved and, like Josh says, he is meeting the ball in some good spots (and not bottling his chances). Maybe it’s better to have him further forward as his penchant for fouling is punished less when it’s away from our box. If the other candidates all have to prove their worth with safe passes, solid tracking and better tackling (i.e., discipline) our depth in this area COULD prove a benefit as the season moves on….but are they truly interchangeable parts?
Just wondering (now feeling more settled, a day later, having banked the points yesterday)….On to November…. :rainbow: :pumpkin:
If you go to the EPL section of the forums http://www.youaremyarsenal.com/forums – I now have for download AVI files of the MOTD highlights. You have to download the file from a free file share service. About 2-3 minutes per video.
Currently I have MOTD from the Man City match and MOTD highlights from yesterday’s match.
Exact link for the files are:
https://youaremyarsenal.mystagingwebsite.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=8
When I was watching the 2nd half, I couldn’t help but think – if only our lads could show the same intensity and the desire in the first half as well, the game never needed to go down to the final 2 minute to decide the winner.
Stats shows Arsenal have scored far more 2nd half goals than first half goals this season. But it has been the same story last season and the season before. Too often we were like day dreaming in the first half, perhaps the players took “walk in the park” literally.
But hell, with this league, nobody could walk in the park and expect to come away with 3 points. The entrance fee of the park are expensive – cost you 3 points. It’s all about working hard for the points, instead of walking in the park.
Every time watching the league fixture following a Carling Cup tie, I always got his feeling the Carling Cup side seemed to have played with far more fire under their belly than the regular league starting XI.
It’s good to see the boys pull of a victory today.
I haven’t seen the game yet so I can’t assess player contributions. But you can’t merely look at West Ham’s place in the table and assume we should mop the floor with them. This is the same team that handed Arsenal their first loss at the Emirates. I also remember in the ’07-’08 season when West Ham played with a very high line and absolutely destroyed us in midfield. I remember another game where we were lucky to have a good Freddie Ljunberg goal disallowed. This is a team that knows how to beat Arsenal. The fact that Arsenal found a way to win a tough game today against an organized defense and an apparently stubborn keeper is a positive.
Alex Song scored another atypical Arsenal goal from inside the six yard box again. Diving header? Sorry Fred, but I love this guy further forward. He’s our new Johnny on the spot, scoring scrappy goals that no one else has the instinct to. He just puts himself in the right place at the right time, very similar to what Pires used to do. You can’t coach that. I think he’ll finish the season in double digits for goals.
So far, Arsenal have done well to be in second place. It’s been done mostly with back-up and newbies creating the spine of the team. For all the criticism Wenger’s gotten, I think it’s time he receive some congrats for having the foresight that many Arsenal fans lacked. He’s built a team where everyone is contributing. It reminds me of the unbeaten season where even the back-ups looked the role when they came on. Our back-ups are young but very experienced. What’s more scary is that most of our players are still getting better. Congrats on another clean sheet.
Its redundant praising Song for going forward for the goal. It was a home game against the bottom team and in the last few minutes. At that point EVERYBODY (including the CBs) should be going forward for a goal.
When we WIN something (anything at all … including the Carlings Cup) without a DM … then Wenger’s tactic can then be called a success. (Funny Wenger used TWO DMs in the Newcastle away CC tie).
Will he have the strength/stamina to fall back in time (after expending so much energy) in February and beyond (i.e. the CRUNCH) when trophies are won and lost? Will we be exposed in the CL knockout stages? When the players tire out (like ALWAYS) will we hold up?
We will find out soon enough.
Walk in the park and Cesc fantasy football points just like I predicted. Excellent!! Can’t really fault any performances today. West Ham crowded us out in the final third big time. I don’t know where I was reading, but they compared the talents of of our midfield vs United and how in spite of the ‘technical difference’ on paper, United always seem to do the business. Like that person, I wish we were more direct at times.
Good to see Clichy upping his game. Let’s hope he keeps it up and grows in attacking confidence and doesn’t think his job is done.
For today, I pray that Barton gets sent off because I do not see all of our players leaving the pitch next week in one piece if he plays.
Gomes just pulls a Fabianksi (ala Champion’s League) and gifts the Mancs their 2nd goal.
For some reasons, Robert Green always plays like Gordon Banks or something at Emirates.
probably because he’s a good keeper.
LOL! No comment.
No Stag,
He has made blunder after blunder THIS season. Look at the other NINE past games and check for yourself. Or go to a West Ham forum and check out what they have to say in the games previous to this.
He does a lot of good reflex saves, but Almunia can do those too. Enough said!
yeah, he got to be one of the England keepers because he’s lousy.
Make’s sense.
I know a group of West Ham supporters, and NO, they don’t think he’s having a great season, but they know he’s a solid keeper… and wouldn’t swap him for anyone we have.
and Clichy wants to know how you liked his performance today.
What good keepers does England have? Joe Hart is their flavor of the month. Green was the scape goat of their world cup.
And its good you confess that even West Ham fans dont fancy him much ;-)
PS: Tell your boy, Clichy, that I (and every other Arsenal fan) am grateful that he has FINALLY had a crossing assist for a goal for the FIRST time since January 2008. That has been THREE long years (in that time, Sagna has assisted for almost 20 goals and countless other chances).
But we are grateful to see a successful cross from Cliche. Its like a Buffalo Bills win … VERY RARE! ;-)
Lets pencil him in for another successful cross in September 2013 …
Green had a good game today. All keepers have good games from time to time. You can’t truly judge a keeper on the strength of one performance be it good or bad.
I think you put a bit too much value on other’s assessments. You’ve often claimed players weren’t very valuable if other clubs didn’t show an interest in them. Nuts! You’ve been watching this game long enough so I’d encourage you to trust your own sound judgement; so long as it’s balanced and logical.
The people that picked Green for England this summer are the same people that decided not to play Joe Hart a single minute at the World Cup. While there is no guarantee that Hart could have changed England’s luck, is that a decision you would have made?
Well, that was not what I expected at all. West Ham flood the midfield and hold us off valiantly. We play fine – but lack the final killer thrust for most of the game (all vaguely familiar).
We didn’t play badly. They just defended well. But we held out nerve and we have real firepower on the bench.
Chamakh was the missing piece for me today. Strangely off his game – and his falling-down routine is getting old fast.
But Theo has turned a corner. And that Nasri freekick against the bar was terrific.
At the back we were solid enough overall. And we didn’t get jittery for the last 5 minutes. Overall, solid progress continues. If only the Chelsea machine would slip up.
yes… last v 2nd.
home. coming off big wins.
should be a walk in the park.
virtually NEVER happens with Arsenal, and that’s why
you don’t play the games on paper or a computer, that’s called Fantasy!
for those who don’t think Rob Green’s a good keeper, you’re CRAZY.
and for those Clichy HATERS, he says SCREW YOU… jackasses.
:)
a hard fought win, a clean sheet, and no injuries that I could see.
So, we suffered a bit threw some drama and a hot opposing keeper.
!
Green is like Almunia a mistake waiting to happen but he had a great game on Saturday.
That’ what I like about you Stag, you are entitled to moan, and you do but you clearly enjoy when we win and it seems although you may not rate a lot of our players you show appreciation when they do well. No one can ask anymore from an Arsenal supporter, but some other people I honestly wonder why they claim to support our club.
Finally Clichy makes a telling cross ….
… and from his right foot !!!
:)
That was literally his first successful cross since he crossed for those two Eduardo goals in January 2008!
Three years in the waiting!
Is that supposed to be praise for the player who set up our winning goal?
Phew, that was too close and not good for anyone’s health.
But I guess it is part and parcel of supporting Arsenal nowadays.
Lot of frustration followed by some joy.
This is a really crucial win. It would have been massively demoralizing to drop points after beating City.
I hope we can carry this on. November is typically a horrible month for us.
Consider yourself lucky. Spare a minute for fans from other smaller clubs like West Ham. Their life as West Ham fans must be a lot of frustration followed by no joy, or sometimes pain (if they get relegated).
That’s the life of a true football SUPPORTER. Not glory glory joy joy all the way.
Come off the S&M crap.
Why should we “spare a thought” for West Ham supporters? We are Arsenal fans and with our own rich and strong history.
Stop trying to pre-dumb down any future failures by trying to compare us to that of a pre-season’s relegated favorite.
What next? Spare a thought for Bristol Rovers?
True Andez, we should be appreciative of the relative success we have.
I suppose that is why we are happy supporting our club and others just simply moan. Maybe Fred should consider following another club now that Bergkamp has left or following a German club in which he has a more natural affinity towards.
Startgin XI Confirmed:
Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Song, Fabregas, Denilson, Arshavin, Nasri, Chamakh
OFFTOPIC:
QF draw for Carling Cup is over:
Arsenal at home vs Wigan.
Birmingham v Aston Villa
Man U v West Ham
Ipswich v West Brom
All CC QF ties will be played week of Nov 29.
I think you’ve got your lineup spot on. Looking forward to an early goal and a thrashing. Saying that, we all just know of the very real possibility that we’ll concede on the first attack and struggle. Though that said, I’m still convinced we’ll win. Bring on cap’n Cesc’s fantasy points!
This really should be a walk in the park. The Hammers’ midweek game went to extra time. And they are a sad disjointed mess. If Song puts a stamp on Parker than will nullify the midfield.
Like a bipolar psycho (which is the only way to cope with supporting this team), I’m absurdly chipper again. We have real momentum – for now – Theo’s back and showing real consistency in front of goal (not so much with the crosses). Bendtner is going for goal in a big way. We have encouraging goalkeepers finally. And hopefully Squidnicklachey and Kozhelsovietanagram will be the CB duo until TVM returns.
Cesc is majestic. Nasri has gone up a gear. And in the words of Harold Shand, we don’t lose our bottle.
We can’t beat Chelsea. We will be lucky to beat Man U. But in the meantime we can happily slaughter West Ham.
I say 3-1.
Should be a walk in the park, but then again the West Brom game was supposed to be the same.
Hoping for a win, a clean sheet and no injuries.
OFF TOPIC:
Arsenal are working on new deals for:
Wilshere
Szczesny
Nasri
Arshavin
Well, I guess nobody knows more than I do….(bottom of the last thread)…even with my grammatical errors….Thanks, of course, for the new one…
“You beat teams like West Ham by using your speed….”
I agree with this statement, but I also think that our speed needs to be used judiciously, not merely as a statement of intent. At Newcastle we certainly started brightly but it was a bit out of control for my liking and, in the end we were rather fortunate to take a lead into the break. And we lost a player to injury, on a play where panicked defending was employed….
Personally I hope the “oldsters,” or whoever we put out there, rather than pressing desperately for an early goal, choose to control the match with possession and responsible forays. We are (probably) faster than West Ham, but we’re not the fastest team in the league by any means and some of our most creative players (Arshavin, Nasri, Cesc) would be better described as quick than flat out fast (like Theo). As such they need just a little bit of proper spacing to do their thing. Additionally, by slowing the match down and wearing down a chasing defense, we significantly reduce the chance for violent challenges, so when they do come, as we should expect from less skilled players/teams (Behrami springs to mind, thinking of WHU) they stand out for all to see, including the ref (Mike Jones?)….hopefully….
I’m NOT saying that we should just show up, stand around and expect to win, but we’ve got a full 90 minutes to do the job and forcing the match to fit OUR game is the mark of a mature team. Not making any big mistakes at the back, also helps….(Clean sheets are addictive….) and keeping those boys unhurt and less stressed, as I wrote earlier today, can only help us with the rigors ahead. 2 nil to the Arse, would do just fine by me….