Holding In Reserve: Arsenal v West Ham, Match Preview (FA Cup 3rd Round)
The Battle of Who's Reserves Are Better!
So here is some math for you – what do you get when you add two teams riddle by injuries plus, one relegation fight and one championship push? Why you get two teams relying on reserves to propel them into the next round of the FA Cup. You get Arsenal versus West Ham redux.
This fixture is one of three all Premier League ties in the third round and is the only true London derby of the group. This meeting between them in the FA Cup is the ninth time they have drawn each other. West Ham hold the high hand in meetings progressing 5 out of the 8 previous times they have clashed. However the last FA Cup meeting in the 1998 quarter finals saw a replay at Upton Park where the Gunners won 4-3 on penalties. They would go on to beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the final and hoist the trophy.
West Ham are currently in a pitched fight to stay up int eh premier league and have only managed to take 4 points from their last 6 league games. Additionaly Gianfranco Zola will likely be with outhe Mark Noble, Scott Parker, Danny Gabbidon and Herita Illuinga. as they are all dealing with hamstring injures. Guillermo Franco is suspended and Carlton Cole and Kieron Dryer are out for an unknown duration due to injures. With the limited resources he has available, Zola has had to recall Freddie Sears from his loan to Crystal Palace.
West Ham know they can play with the big boys. Prior to the Christmas fixtures West Ham valiantly fought Chelsea to a draw and we can’t forget about the draw with Arsenal at Upton Park in October.
The Gunners are one of the hottest teams in the EPL right now. They have captured 16 of a possible 18 points in all league games. They have won their last 3 matches with an aggregate score of 10-1 all without the services of a certified central forward.
The list of injuries is long and well known by all Gooners. Fabrgas, Denilson, and Walcott are all recent additions (again) toi the training table squad. However, Tomas Rosicky is back and should feature in the squad.
Arsene Wenger is planning on reseting key players. He is in it to win for the EPL and needs to get those essential players some down time for the long haul ahead.
“I will have to rest some players because there were some knowcks against Portsmouth,” Wenger recently said. “Bolton is a very important game for us [the game in hand], so we want to keep our momentum going.”
“I will change some players that is for sure. But while the Carling Cup, is, for us, exclusively for young players, the FA Cup is one to win.”
“A Cup is a Cup and we want to do well. A season is judged on the overall achievement. People look to who has won the trophies but I look as well at how we have done and how consistently we have played.”
Even so the squad that Arsene fields won’t warm the cockles of anyone’s heart (at least those that insist he must field the strongest sides) who want him to win this. It will likely be a squad mostly of reserves, returning injured, and Alexander Song. Song has yet to depart for the Africa Cup and is intent on making an impact for his departure. Fully expect also that in addition to Song and Rosicky, Fabianksi, Silvestre and possibly Senderos will play. Senderos will only play though if he clears a physical. His injuries are unkown (probably – does Arsene have a deal in the works is more like it.) However, even an Arsenal reserve squad are likely to be chock full of more talent than a West Ham reserve squad (which is what Zola will likely field given all the injuries to his squad.)
So let’s get to it shall we?
How the game should play out:
Regardless of the squad Arsene fields it is likely going to be made up of players who are all looking to show something to Le Boss. With the Carling Cup no longer a chance to do so, some of the young players – like Merida, Eastmond, Gilbert, Wilshere and Ramsey will likely be the featured stars of the day. Given their ability I suspect the match will go one of two ways – wide open attacking football with Merida and Ramsey the likely heros of the day or a slow dirge of a match that needs and injection of seniority before the match takes off. I hope for open option.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Alexander Song. Song has been a beast this season. Unfortunately this match against West Ham is the last time we could see him in the red and white strip for the next four weeks. I’ve always thought Song to be the low key kind of player but after the Pompey match his enthusiasm was very evident and he was quite vocal about the club and his affinity for it. He desperately wants to make sure that Arsenal is seen off to success in this competition and i am sure the young Cameroonian will do so.
West Ham: Matthew Upson. If he is healthy and plays he will be the centre of attention – not so much for what he could do against Arsenal but because a slew of teams are looking at him as a possible January buy.
Probable Starting XI (ed note: Due to the holiday and graphics won’t return until next Saturday’s match against Bolton. – DAG.)
Arsenal: Fabianski, Gilbert, Senderos, Silvestre, Traore, Merida, Eastmond, Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, Vela.
West Ham: Green, Upson, Spector, Tomkins, Jimenez, Kovac, Faubert, Behrami, Collison, Franco, Diamanti
Injuries:
Arsenal: Walcott (chest), Denilson (back), Fabregas (hamstring), Gibbs (foot), Van Persie (ankle), Clichy (back), Bendtner (groin), Djourou (knee)
West Ham: Ilunga (hamstring), Parker (hamstring), Noble (hamstring), Gabbidon (hamstring), Dyer (hamstring), Hines (knee), Cole (knee), Davenport (hip), Boa Morte (ACL)
Recent Form:
Arsenal: WWWDW
West Ham: LWDLL
Match Officials:
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Assistant referees: Stephen Child & Shaun Procter-Green
Fourth Offical: Peter Walton
Television Broadcasts:
US: Setanta Sports 11:15 AM EST
UK: ITV 1615 BST
Possible Video Streams:
Please note, YouAreMyArsenal.com is not responsible for the content contained on any of these links – DAG
GAMEDAY CHAT will be open. www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal – 2
West Ham – 0
