West Ham – Arsenal Match Thread

By: Martin | January 15th, 2011

Lineups are in:

West Ham: Starters:Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge, Kovac, Noble, Spector, Sears, Hines, Cole Bench: Boffin, Reid, Gabbidon, Boa Morte, Barrera, McCarthy, Nouble

Arsenal: Starters: Wojo, Eboue, Clichy, Koscielny, Djourou, Song, Wilshere, Nasri, Cesc, Van Persie, Theo Bench: Shea, Gibbs, Denilson, Arshavin, Chamakh, Bendtner, Vela

No surprises at all for us — that’s the lineup I (and probably everyone else) predicted, and that’s what we get. We have played extremely well whenever that front 6 is playing, so hopefully we will keep it up today. It came out yesterday that Miquel is playing for the U18s today, so if we should get an injury along the backline to one of the CBs, Wenger will move Song back and move Denilson into the midfield. Flaps is out injured, so James Shea is back-up keeper — no offense to him, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

Big news for West Ham is that Scott Parker, who has been by some distance their best player this season, misses out due to injury. And they’re missing their leading scorer in Piquionne. No excuses for not winning this one. Chelsea and Manchester City both won today — Chelsea are now back in the top 4, while Manchester City sit atop the table, although we have 2 games in hand on them and Manchester United have 3. Today is a day to just win and hold serve against those 2, and watch either United or Spurs (or possibly both) drop points tomorrow.

Let’s get 3 points. Come on Arsenal.

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Category: Arsenal News, Fixtures, Premiership, West Ham

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Gigi_man

wow i just read you guys and see that there arent as many complaints as I thought.
I will let our own sairax and martin do it, but some pre comments-critics of mine:
Eboue doenst play bad, hes just not a defender/ Djourou did one silly mistake but aside from that had an outstnding game and fought to the limits/ Chesny kind of made me choose him over Flaps today, but can cool down the game a bit sometimes (I love when keepers start the game riht away so they can cathc the other team at surprise, but doing that many times its tiring for our team and there snt much surprise after that)/ Clichy fought enough but he is simply not as talented as the rest/ Still want more shooting at the goal than to seek for the perfect pass.
FredJacob

Cllichy crossing is horrible
Gigi_man

RvP sublime. Theo threatening. Cesc reading superbe. Song in there. Jacky hungry. Djourou a quite good wall. Chesny solid.
I saw today a team that went to the shrink and the shrink convinced them they were up to it.
Mentally we wre tough, simple, and plain. Kudos.
I wont stop at the critics cause I am way too happy now, but will get back here to check them later and comment on it.
Clean sheet, 3 goals.
Sweet,
Sairax

Yay! 3 points and a clean sheet. Get in!!
SJGgumby

Excellent, more comfortable now. Perhaps time to get Arshavin and Chamakh some time and hopefully confidence?
Homey_Mills

OK, now time to get some subs on and rest our top guys. Very nice performance.
Sairax

I love you Robin! *sobs*
Homey_Mills

Does anyone know what's the world record for most wasted corner kicks in one game without producing one meaningful chance on goal?
SJGgumby

Nope, but I bet I know which team owns that record...
Patoux21

Please can someone in the Arsenal staff ask Wenger to forbid Clichy and especially Eboue trying to be the next Maicon.They are going forward recklessly it's just ridiculous their offensive contribution is almost inexistant and on the contrary it's causing trouble defensively because they often have to defend backwards. Is it possible to use some IQ instead of running like headless chicken?
Darren_V

Wayne Bridge is a terrible footballer
FredJacob

Eboue defending is horrible
Patoux21

I totally agree with you Eboue is rubbish as a rightback but I believe that it's not his natural position he's more a of a right midfield player. This is Wenger's fault of buying so many midfield players and having very little in defense. I mean how can you have a bacup rightback being Eboue when you want to be a title contender. We will be crushed on the right side by Barcelona thaht's for sure!
Sairax

Szczesny's great with one-on-ones, which I love
Sairax

Jack+Song having a good game

It's times like these you realize how much Sagna adds to our attack

Speaking of attack, I think ours is looking tasty today. Theo van Nasregas can really penetrate deep into the opposition penalty area

Djourou having trouble with Cole today
Homey_Mills

Very nice work from RvP again. He's quite gangsta right now. Too bad about the one that hit the post too.
JG

THEOOOOOO VANNNWALCOTT!!!
SJGgumby

Phew. Djourou has earned the right to make a mistake like that with his consistency so far this year, but glad we somehow didn't get punished - and hope it doesn't happen again for a long time.
Homey_Mills

Nice save by Wojo, but awful from Djourou. Wow. Really bad.
Sairax

That goal was delicious.
evaldo

what did you expect? It was scored with robin's "chocolate leg"!
Sairax

Oh I didn't even notice! Hahaha that's even better!
Lana W. Dawood

ROBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!
Homey_Mills

GGOOOOOAAALLLLL!! RvP is back. I hope.
Gigi_man

Yeeeyyyy they are broadcasting this one, I am a bit nervous though.
Even with those bad news, I am scared of what some of the you-know-who players come and do one of their typical.

Tht being said, the 6 of the front line is reconforting.

Nerves, nerves,
FredJacob

Alumunia really out cool
Sairax

Step away from the mascara Katy Perry.
Shirish K.

y not let katy support arsenal. lol