Robin van Persie’s headed goal in the 13th minute was enough to see the Gunners earn a tough three points away to West Ham at Upton Park this afternoon.
This is the kind of game that would have been a draw or loss last season, but this year, there’s a different attitude in the side, and it’s great to see. We’re having connectivity issues here at my house, so I’m forced to keep things brief. Dan, if you want to add more, please, feel free!
A cracking win in the Carling cup with our so called B team. Couldn’t have done the confidence any harm whatsoever. Back to the business side of things this week at Upton Park where we’ve surprisingly lost to a team that does “play football” too many times. Maybe its time to set the record straight then.
I watched West Ham v Newcastle, and Dean Ashton is on form. He’s a very clever positional player who scores goals when fit. Norwich City’s record signing at 3m, and I quite like him. Carlton Cole has done nothing for as far as I can remember, so I guess Bellamy will start along with Ashton and Etherington to form a 4-3-3 of sorts. Lee Bowyer is another player I dislike — much like Robbie Savage in the tackle and too much blah blah. Matty Upson will be charged up against us and if Freddie plays I hope he doesn’t score against us.
I miss Freddie… I loved him 
Now that Eduardo is out with a groin strain I think it’ll be back to a Robin van Persie/Adebayor partnership. What is it with these muscle pulls?? Last time we had a groin strain the player concerned was supposed to be a week away, and now AW doesn’t want to put a time on it. So I guess Dudu is out for a month sadly. Unconfirmed, obviously, but its just a gut feeing I have about the damn groin strain.
Mozart is still down but Hleb makes it which is good. It’s also bad because Hleb rarely turns it on immediately after an injury return. It takes a game or so for him to be back. Let’s hope he does turn up tomorrow. Cesc has to start and I’m not at all sure what’s happening with Gilberto. I think Arsene’s gonna sell him — just because the players coming through have more potential. I’d love Bert to stay but I don’t know if he can accept a bit part role. His attitude has been spot on, his commitment unquestionable and his performance reasonably decent considering the circumstances. I’d hate to see him go. He’s had a fair enough rest it doesn’t look good for him to start this one alongside Cesc. I mean, how do you drop Flamini??? He’s been very good this season. Problem of Plenty — its got to be a Hleb-Cesc-Matty-Diaby/Theo?? midfield (mostly Diaby). The back four pick themselves with a Clichy-Sendy-Kolo-Sagna and Almunia in goal again.
So effectively this is what it will be….
Almunia
Sagna Kolo Sendy Clichy
Hleb Cesc Flamini Diaby
RVP Ade
We’ll have a bit too much in the tank for West Ham. Predict a high scoring win for AFC with Freddie and Ashton scoring for them.
West Ham 2 – Arsenal 3
Like all Gooners I am delighted by our start. All of the pro and con inputs regarding the team and players are great to read.
I have an observation regarding the Gunners schedule. I think we should be thankful that for most of the season the Home versus Away schedule favors us. If I have done the Math correctly it is 3-1,7-4,9-6,11-8,13-10,15-12,17-14, and then the crunch hits with a 2-5 run in.
If we had started out in reverse and suffered a start like last season, I am not sure that we would have recovered.
I feel our ACHILLES HEALS are Central Defense (what if K Toure gets a season ending injury) and Goalkeeper ( a great save is nullified by a complete screw up and Mad Jens and Mad Almunia have done both).