Post Match Review: Arsenal 3-1 WestHam

ARSENAL: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Rosicky, Arteta, Podolski, Cazorla, Kallstrom, Giroud
SUBSTITUTES: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Bellerin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Sanogo, Akpom

WESTHAM UTD: Adrián, Reid, Tomkins, Armero, Demel, Jarvis, Noble, Diame, Downing, Nocerino, Carroll
SUBSTITUTES: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Johnson, Taylor, Cole, Vaz Te, Cole

After playing 120mins in the FA Cup win over Wigan on Saturday, it was going take a lot to get past a team coached by Sam Allardyce; 3goals and 3 points later we overtook Everton into fourth place at least till they play Crystal Palace tonight.

Extra time in the FA Cup took a toll and Arsene Wenger was forced to make five changes from the team that won on Saturday. Kim Kallstrom got his first start and despite a few wayward passes, looked good in midfield shielding the back four when needed. Vermaelen started at left back due to injuries to both Monreal and Gibbs and played solidly with Rosicky adding pace and directness in midfield.

Arsenal haven’t been particularly good at comeback victories this season having gone behind 11 times in Premier League play but only notching one win and four draws in those matches. Arsenal’s only win from a losing position this season came against, yes wait for it, West Ham on Boxing Day. In that match, Podolski came on in the 65th minute and scored the third goal. Did I hear Déjà vu?

Operation “Save Our Season” kicked in after the Hammers goal and Arsenal seemed to find another gear, linking passes effortlessly and keeping the ball deep in the Hammers area. After Stewart Downings failed clearance fell to Cazorla the Spaniard played a splitting ball to Podolski who simply took a touch, turned and fired in to the far corner. A much needed goal at an important time in the game.

Arsenal came out in the second and took the game to West Ham. A series of corners tested the Hammers’ set play defense with Cazorla playing in dangerous crosses that were only just dealt with. When West Ham did finally clear their lines the ball went to Vermaelen who was playing as last defender for Arsenal. The Arsenal captain played in a huge long ball to Giroud and the Frenchman, despite Andy Carroll shoving him in the back, plucked the ball out of the air and powered a shot between Adrián’s legs.

Arsene made his customary 70th minute sub in the 72nd minute and put Aaron Ramsey in for Tomas Rosicky. Now I must confess, if Rosicky brought directness to the midfield then Ramsey’s rottweiling drive gave us more impetus upfield, it took three minutes to show what he’s all about and after a few well worked passes got himself into space 20 yards out and had a crack at goal. Two minutes later he was in the same position when a Giroud cross was played behind him but the Welsh wizard stepped back and headed the ball softly to Podolski. The end result was never in doubt as the German simply smashed the ball over the keeper and into the roof of the net.

For all the stick that a player like Olivier Giroud gets, I think last night was one of his finer moments and why Arsene Wenger fails to utilize a player of Podolski’s class more is beyond me. I know he fizzles out defensively atimes , especially when he combines with Monreal on the left flank but  playing for der mannschaft at all levels and scoring 46 goals in more than 100 games has to count for something.

Let us wait and watch what happens to Martinez’s Everton team tonight but as much as I hate to say this, I believe our Champions League exploits for next season lie with the two Manchester clubs.

So COYG!!!

What Would Be A Great Season Finale?

So the team is back squabbling for a spot in the top 4 again this season, after spending the most number of weeks atop the league table than any other club.

Where and how did we go wrong?  Santi Cazorla was quoted as mentioning the Stoke game at the Britannia but I believe something went burst in our heads at Anfield  after we lost to Liverpool (in a shambolic fashion if I may add), the belief, the drive and all that chutzpah that we really could win the league got deflated like a kids first birthday balloon.

I’m still wondering what a good ending to this season will be; The FA cup trophy and/or UCL qualification for next season.  If I was asked this question a few weeks into August 2013, I would have grabbed both but i guess we quivered under the weight of that huge expectation of winning the league...needless to say, which no one gave us a chance of winning in the first place.I still believe those two milestones would be worth the nine year wait. 

Now back to reality, we need to refocus on the league and put pressure on Everton by winning tonight. I don’t see Martinez’s men winning all their remaining games especially those two games against the Manchurian clubs, so in a way our faith still lies in our hands and we mustn’t let it slip off (again).

COYG!!!