The real reason why Arsenal nearly melted away at Upton Park
I am convinced she hypnotised our team. Somebody must have either put up a poster of her in the Arsenal changing room. Or she made a ghost like appearance just before kick off. West Ham even played a song by her at half time to spook us out. The spell was meant to last the whole game but thankfully we snapped out of it after about 65 minutes.
Until then it was a strange performance by us. It was ”Hot N Cold”. West Ham were organised, as they always are and sought to score on the counter. Meanwhile I couldn’t see us string 5 passes together. Even before the Hammers scored, it looked like a 1-0 result. And then Diamanti broke the off-side trap before his shot trickled past Fabianski just like Beckford’s winner at Old Trafford. Oh yeah you really think I wasn’t going to slip that in! Mind you, losing to West Ham (had it happened) and losing to Leeds, I think we can safely say, World of difference between the two.
What was good about our performance after that however was our “bouncebackability”. Hardly a minute after we fell behind, we restarted and promptly won a corner. The Arsenal of a year or two ago would have indulged in some ‘why God? Why us again’ before coming back into the game little too late. Endeavour didn’t necessarily find its results straightaway though. The only shot on target that I recalled was Vela’s across the goal which Green saved.
The second half was a bit better and as expected the introduction of Nasri and Diaby made us more dynamic as an attacking force. West Ham were still parking the bus blocking space for the movement of players and shot.
Goal 1: Created by Carlos Vela but made possible because of Ramsey’s desire to make that run and shoot with what I think is his weaker foot.
Goal 2: Again created by Vela but made possible because Eduardo picked the right moment to show his aerial ability.
Things I learnt
- Carlos Vela has improved on his stamina. He just got better as the game went on, dribbling effortlessly and pinging proper crosses.
- Fabregas’ might recover slightly quicker from his injury. Ramsey is showing why Arsene made so much effort to sign him. Desire? Check. Decision making? check. Passing. Check. And I could go on.
- Wilshere lacked the strength today which he has (remember him taking apart Salgado?) and the tempo of the game drew many errors from him. A loan spell is best for him.
- Eduardo really comes alive in the box. He is our poacher and if he gets going..
- Song had another good game, covering in defence but he really needs Diaby and or Denilson alongside him. Merida AND Ramsey too lighweight.
- Now that Song is off to Africa, I really hope Denilson is back soon. We will need his reading of the game to intercept play.
- Silvestre shouldn’t play left back if possible. Didn’t he turn down a move to Liverpool because he didn’t want to play there? He was far too adventurous for my liking.
- Diaby can get angry. Sort of. I feared for Jiminez at one point. Then again who wouldn’t go red when someone attempts to chop your shoulder off.
I could go on but I’ll leave it at that.
We’re off to Stoke next. Another Premiership tie. Want to complain but I’d rather not. After all we had Plymouth, Cardiff and Burnley before we had the small matter of Hull last year. Perhaps we should have more tough ties.
Re the Katy Price thing: What a load of old cobblers!!!
really? Well thank you t.rets. Without you the rest of them would never have known.
t rets – you humourless moron!!!
Well, good job I’m here then eh!
Especially as you don’t get irony…
O well, I suppose it takes a moron to teach morons…?
Fabianski looked very solid, Almunia should be on his toes n tips. Damn… when we click, we really are unplayable. Diaby is gonna steam roller all over people. His long strides followed by quick one-twos will strike fear in any defense in the world.
Diaby is a tank that stops before no-one. What a turn around. Last year many unrated him, now he is a must play. Amazing.
Hi everyone
one thing i noticed from the west ham game was that Diaby began to show what he can do in the style of vieira like play to compliment our midfield. Instead of winning the ball and looking for the quick short pass, he began to finally hold on to the ball and power through the midfield area which in turn freed up space for others. He has always shown he is a good player but stepping up using his pace and one two movement will set him apart from others and his strength will create further chances for us. Song for me has been the player of the season so far closely followed by vermalen and we will miss him but again denilson and ramsey can offer good cover in times of need!
I still worry that we dont seem to practice set pieces and defensively always look dodgy from set pieces aswell. We do need to sort that out and get a keeper who can concentrate for 90 mins-still if we win the game but always concede one id be happy!! happy new year to you all.
definitely agree with you. Diaby is probably one of the few players who can barge past the central defenders with his strength and skill on the ball.
Set piece defending is a weakness but none of the top teams are that much more better than us at it. About the keeper, I have more confidence in Fabianski’s talent – especially at reaction saves.
Happy new year to you as well mate.