A performance at Goodison Park that needs no further elaboration. 4 shots - 4 goals. How many times have we said that about an Arsenal team?
It’s West Ham up next and if I remember correctly, they’re the only team to have done the double over Arsenal and Man United last year. Anyway the past is best forgotten and history while helpful is useless when it comes to the game; unless people are psychologically bogged down by a bogey team. If we for example don’t get all 3 tomorrow the media will start blabbing about bogey teams conveniently forgetting that ManU are in a worse predicament with regards to West Ham right now.
Team news is that Sagna is rested which means Hoyte gets a game…I’m not too worried. Hoyte will do well for 1 game for sure. I don’t know whether Clichy will start either; he’s due a rest as well. Eboue is back as well thus disappointing numerous people here who believe he was the worst player on the pitch when that was far from true. His playacting is a different thing but there’s no doubt he brings a bit more pace and power on the right hand side. So if he can cut the crap I wont mind him staying at all.
West Ham are a decent team. I have a feeling that Mark Noble will not have a great game tomorrow as the Hleb incident will be on his mind each time he crosses paths. Matty Upson who did us a favour last time against ManU and Freddie as well will be raring to do well against us. Anyway I’m too tired to think of anything but the obvious stuff that Carlton Cole will do nothing against us. Dean Ashton will win 1 million headers in the air if he starts.
Here’s the squad that AW will put out tomorrow:
Almunia
Hoyte Toure Gallas Clichy(Traore)
Eboue(Walcott) Diaby Flamini Cesc Mozart
Adebayor
I know it sounds strange …AW going back to a 4-5-1..but I get this feeling that it’s what he’ll do and switch to Dudu later who will score the only goal again. All instincts these are…and crap may be but I’ll go with:
Arsenal 1 - Westham 0
Anyway its midnight here on Monday and its already past 12:00 on new year. So for what its worth — Wishing all those (unlike me) who believe a new year is different — A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
43 Responses to “Arsenal - Westham”
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:24 pm
What a cracking good way to bring in the New Year it is to with a win over the Hammers.
Everyone asked where Arsenal would be by Christmas and here they are at the top of the table. Mind you it’s only by 2 points but hey it’s much higher than most would have given this team in August - san Henry and all.
I think it will be a great match for the lads and as for bogey teams they don’t have to worry because that team is currently hiding under my bed and is bad for business.
December 31st, 2007 at 6:45 pm
i’m glad the hammers beat the red devils. now, let’s dispatch with them.
i’m also really looking forward to our match with ac milan in feb in CL.
December 31st, 2007 at 6:46 pm
if wenger goes back to a 4-5-1 and adebayor is roaming around the leftwing and we fail to score…..i will really go mad.
December 31st, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Can’t guess the formation tomorrow, but I have a feeling we will win. I think West Ham shot their wad against United and will fail to mount anything.
December 31st, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Surely, Wenger will go with Ade and Dudu upfront, with Theo as a second half supersub for Eboue.
We’re at home. We can handle their midfield with 4, instead of 5 players. If we get our bubble back, we can get a goal in the first half.
If not, they can try and outplay us, and we’ll poach it with another ‘ugly’ setpiece!
That said, West Ham will be up for it and they didn’t play badly first half against ManUre. Crucially, though, their two goals were setpiece headers and they’ll probably be hoping to profit from similar attacks at the Emirates.
Galls and Toure need to be up Ashton’s overweight arse for every cross.
This is the beginning of Act II for the season. A solid home win here sets us on the slope to glory.
December 31st, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Got a feeling we might be seeing Thierry tomorrow at the Emirates. He said he was gonna come back around the Xmas time during the Spanish winter break.
I still don’t feel confident with Eduardo at the Emirates. He tends to score his goals when the game is flat and the opposing defence drops their concentration a bit. At home Arsenal play a high tempo game and the other teams defence is always deep and alert. As yet Eduardo hasn’t shown the sharpness or dynamism to get on the end of things in that scenario. Hopefully he will look more in tune tomorrow.
I’m going for a draw tomorrow. I honestly can’t see where our goals are gonna come from. The only guy that looks like he might break the deadlock is Rosicky.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:09 am
Not sure why Sagna is rested when he could have missed the FA Cup and Carling Cup games. If Boa Morte plays on their left, Hoyte could be troubled. Clichy also needs rest, but I am guessing he will surely miss at least one of the afore mentioned games.
My starting lineup would be
Almunia
Hoyte Toure Gallas Clichy
Eboue Cesc Diarra Rosicky
Ade Eduardo
Bench: Lehmann, Senderos, Diaby, Hleb, Walcott
Hleb has been off colour and should start on the bench. Eboue, having been rested, should be eager to show his worth and should give Hoyte some defensive cover. Eduardo should start and if it doesn’t work out Wenger should change it around the 60th min (note: not the 80th min).
West Ham will be up for this game based on last season’s results over Arsenal and ManU. Then, circumstances were different and they don’t have Tevez anymore. The game will be close, but if we handle their aerial threat, we should win by a goal.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:16 am
Arsenal.com doesn’t mention Flamini being suspended for the game.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:19 am
RvP’s injury is bad news, but it’s high time we start planning games without him. He missed half of last season and is on course to repeat that this season too. All his talk that when he returns, it will be like a new signing is quite funny. Even when he gets back, it’s unlikely he will remain fit the rest of the season. We have to get RvP out of our heads.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:21 am
Too much to ask of West Ham beating Man U and Arsenal in the same week.
Arsenal 2-0 tomorrow..goals by Rosicky and Ade..
Happy New Years to all Gunners supporters..and may 08 smile upon the Arsenal!!
January 1st, 2008 at 2:48 am
Eventually Eduardo will shift into full time 4-4-2 starting role, no question about it, he’s pure goalscoring ability playing down the wing will be a waste.
Question is - is he READY? and is he ready NOW?
While his goalscoring ability is doubtless, when he’s not in the box scoring goal, he has yet been effective involving in our build up play. At times, almost like invisible.
Arsenal is a short passing team by nature. Be it a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 formation, the priority is to control the possession. The long ball game was an one off out of deseperation. Our forwards up front, be it a lone striker or a 2 men partnership, they gotta link up well with the midfield.
I believe Eduardo will earn a start (as striker in 4-4-2) against Hammers as a reward of his goals from the Everton match. But he needs to do better job involving in the build up play.
Personally, i think he still lack a bit of upper body strength (which he can work on in the summer) to make a major impact in the physical EPL. that’s why AW played him more in CL so far this season.
when he’s mentally and physically ready one day (probalby next season), he will be HUGH without a doubt.
January 1st, 2008 at 3:15 am
For Eduardo to be READY, he needs to play games. That won’t happen if we play 4-5-1. With 4-4-2, Eduardo can afford to drift out of the game safe in the knowledge that there is another striker. We should know by now that just because Eduardo is not involved in the game doesn’t mean he won’t finish the chances that fall by his way. Even though his second goal at Everton was like Bergkamp’s at Newcastle, he is definitely more in the RvN mould. We will need to change our game slightly to suit him. I think it will be worth it.
January 1st, 2008 at 3:45 am
Flamini is now free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club. If we aren’t careful, we might lose two midfielders in the summer, just like we did in 2001 and everyone knows how costly that was.
January 1st, 2008 at 4:52 am
van Persie has a style of his own. Pretty unique. I’d like to think Eduardo is more similiar to Ian Wright, Robbie Fowler type of striker.
Henry would have love it to play alongside Eduardo back in his days. The “fox in the box” Titi been calling for years.
one thing i m impressed by Eduardo, apart from his finishing, is his running (off the ball). He has that typical goalscorer’s instinct on where to run into, and time his run better than Adebayor (it appears at least). Think Freddie Ljungberg with a better finishing.
we do not have this type of player since Wrighty, or to a certain extend, Davor Suker.
January 1st, 2008 at 5:03 am
I said after the Spurs match, Bendtner may be able to make an impact as a subs against the tired legs, it might not necessary mean he would make the same impact as the starter.
I have no problem with Eduardo starting. And i agree he needs to play in order to adapt to the physical game of EPL. But let’s be prepared, and expect the occassionally inconsistency from him, and as a result, the team.
the last thing i want to hear is - today, “let’s start Eduardo NOW”. And if we suffer a blip as a result, then “AW fuck up big time”, “AW is trying to throw away the title bid” all those soft of crap.
January 1st, 2008 at 6:11 am
“we do not have this type of player since Wrighty, or to a certain extend, Davor Suker.”
That’s precisely why we will have to adapt our game a little bit. The current Arsenal game expects all players to be constantly moving and working for the team. Eduardo’s movement is good. But he does not go looking for the ball. Instead he moves into open spaces and likes the ball given to him at his feet. If others can do that, he will execute to his lethal best.
I am not saying Eduardo should start every game. But with RvP injured, it’s a great chance to integrate him into the team. Imagine how much he would have struggled if RvP was fit all the time. Let’s make use of the opportunity.
January 1st, 2008 at 6:36 am
@ nipuna 13:
“Flamini is now free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club. If we aren’t careful, we might lose two midfielders in the summer, just like we did in 2001 and everyone knows how costly that was.”
errr. we won the league after the summer of 2001 !!!
flamini is SOOOOOOOOOOO replaceable it isnt even funny. should he dare sign a pre-contract with another club i am certain he will find himself in the reserves with diarra taking his place.
signing a precontract now will be the biggest mistake he can make in the run up to the euros. lol.
January 1st, 2008 at 6:39 am
wont anybody bid for gilberto?????????? come on juve, he aint that bad…plus he could still do the business in a slower serie a right?
January 1st, 2008 at 7:19 am
We got Flamini from free transfer, if we lose him for free, finanically speaking we do not suffer any loss.
However, I do agree with Fred, don’t think Flamini would be making much an impact plying his trade elsewhere.
I believe it’s Arsenal’s system which makes Flamini shines, rather than the other way around. and yes, he’s very “replaceable”. it’s not difficult to find a player like him. HIs main assets are - keeping thing simple, get the ball, pass it to Cesc, work hard, cover up for his teammates. Not like Vieira, an unique talent probably only comes once a decade.
having said that, I would LOVE him to stay. Regardless of his contract problem, ON THE PITCH, he’s Mr. 100% every match. The Everton match, when we were down 0-1, some of our players’ heads appeared to have dropped, Flamster though, rallying on and sending encouragement to his teammates. Would love to have a guy like that on our side.
Anyway, I don’t think he will leave. having taken a few years to finally established himself at Arsenal, one of the big clubs in Europe, the last thing he wants to do now is to go elsewhere and starts it all over again.
His situation is a bit similiar to Edu. lot of ppl thought AW let Edu goes. not quite true. apparently Edu wanted a bigger contract, yet Arsenal board rejected. So he left. Yet again, Edu was not a first team regular. While Flamini is virtually an automatic first choice these days. Dont think he would want to go to another big club and sit on the bench, or go to a smaller club and be a starter.
January 1st, 2008 at 9:03 am
Fred, that should be summer of 2005.
Guys, I completely agree that Flamini is replaceable. So is Gilberto and Diarra. But we need two of those three (not considering Song here). Right now, all three are in some or the other kind of trouble. Flamini is free to sign for someone else. Gilberto will most likely leave and Diarra is unhappy and wants to move. If Wenger makes his choice now and plays accordingly, then fine. If he doesn’t, come summer, we may have a situation (unlikely but not impossible) that all 3 CM leave. So we go and buy 2 new CMs? That’s what I want to avoid.
January 1st, 2008 at 9:33 am
Arseblog says that Vela has had his loan spell cut and come back to Arsenal. I thought he wasn’t eligible to play till next summer. No official confirmation of the news and I haven’t see it anywhere else.
January 1st, 2008 at 10:08 am
Fulham 1-0 up against Chelski thanks to an 8min penalty… Can they really hang on for a second half? Methinks not.
As for today’s game, it is hard to see where the goals are coming from - but only if we don’t find our rhythm.
If we get all our cogs working again, we’re off to the races for a solid 2-0 or 3-1 win.
If Dudu starts, then the Everton game should have proved to the team, that it is worth it to work hard and slip/hoof a through ball for him to run onto. In that sense, he is like Ian Wright - once he’s through, boom, it’s in the net. It’s certainly great to see an Arsenal striker not overthink his chances.
January 1st, 2008 at 10:19 am
Knowing Wenger he will play 4-5-1 with Eboue on the right.
Eduardo will be on the bench and Hleb in midfield. Yawn.
January 1st, 2008 at 10:30 am
I just had an afterthought. I have a gut feel we’ll see the big man little man combo in Ade and Walcott up front and Eboue on the right; hence making it a 4-4-2.
And seriously Danny yawn is an insult to our playmakers. You weren’t yawning when Hleb and Cesc were in such sublime form in the first half of teh season.
January 1st, 2008 at 10:34 am
2-1 Chelsea…Ballack penalty. Fulham are really poor in second halves; how many leads have they given away?
January 1st, 2008 at 10:47 am
It’s the team I predicted except Flamini for Diarra (looks like he is not suspended, at least not for today). Song on the bench instead of Senderos.
January 1st, 2008 at 10:50 am
West Ham’s lineup looks totally devoid of creativity. Cole up front, Ljunberg and Pantsil on the wings, Noble, Spector and Mullins in the middle. Let’s get at them.
January 1st, 2008 at 11:05 am
Guess what? Eduardo!!!!
January 1st, 2008 at 11:08 am
WOW! EDUARDO at 1:12!, 1-0!
January 1st, 2008 at 11:10 am
DUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUDUD
January 1st, 2008 at 11:12 am
Diarra is not even on the bench. Really loves to keep him. Looks like he is going out.
January 1st, 2008 at 11:21 am
Not even 20 min, Hoyte is having a nightmare.
January 1st, 2008 at 11:22 am
Yet another long ball and Ade scores!!! Way to go.
January 1st, 2008 at 11:42 am
Eboue has been poor too. We made Ljunberg look good before he went off.
Our set piece defending has been very shaky.
January 1st, 2008 at 11:52 am
2-0 at half time.
Ade had a great chance to make it 3-0. Eduardo was wide open but Ade held on to the ball for ages.
We have got to improve our aerial defense if we want to keep a clean sheet.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:05 pm
This team gets more and more enigmatic. They’ve had twice as many shots on goal as us - but we’re the ones leading 2-0.
Love the DuDu finish - there’s no flab on this guy’s technique in the box. Hleb, take note!
January 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Eduardo is substituted and we have switched to 4-5-1.
Invite West Ham to attack us and use Walcott’s pace on the counter?
January 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
A comfortable 2-0 win. 10 points out of 12 in the holiday season. Absolutely thrilled.
Had some nervy moments in the air, but apart from that it was only our own choice of how many goals to score.
January 1st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
and another one bites the dusk…
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL GOONERS! (long may the tradition continue)
January 1st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Even before Walcott came on, we were already playing 4-5-1 weren’t we? Look at Rosicky’s position, he’s roaming around all over the pitch in a free man role (before Thoe came on). so how could it be a 4-4-2?
January 1st, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Yes Arsenal have given us a Merry X’mas, now a Happy New Year too!!
Adebayor’s goal was increditable. Scored from an impossible angle. Eduardo’s goal top class as well.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
i think that Arsenal v.s. man utd in the final of the FA cup and Arsenal will tie in pk’s and arsenal will win them
over (4-3) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 6th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
i think henry would be better off with Asrenal not with Barcalona