Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Coming Home
By Boris Mellor
December 31 2007
West Ham were good value for their win against Man U, they had more possession and shots. Even the red-nosed one had to admit he had nothing to complain about, though no doubt he wanted to complain about Ronaldo missing that penalty. Rather than complain he has started the mind games, saying that Arsenal are favourites for the title, next he will be saying the Gunners will drop points.
The Hammers often beat Man U at home, but surprisingly West Ham are better on the road, this season, than they are at home. They have only won three games at home but five away. Only three teams have won more times away, Chelsea, Pompey and Liverpool.
Of course, there is a common denominator, stingy defences that give very little away. The Hammers have conceded only six goals away one less than the Chavs. Arsenal will need to find top form to beat an outfit that did the double over the Gunners last season; hopefully Almunia will do a better job in goal than Lehman did in the match at the Grove.
Arsenal’s midfield has not managed to hit its pre injury form but the Gunners carry on winning. Indeed, at Everton it was discovered that Arsenal are more effective without them. That only worked because Everton made the mistake of pressing too hard leaving too much space behind them, and because Eduardo just loves to score. Route one clearly agrees with him.
At the time of writing, no new injuries have been announced, but in a week's time Toure and Eboue will have left for the Africa Cup. Therefore will it be possible to rest Gallas? Should Toure’s replacement get a game now, or should that wait for the run of cup games?
The only issue remaining unresolved is who will partner Adebayor up front? Surely Wenger has to give Eduardo another start; however I suspect he will find the Hammers defence a tougher proposition.
Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 09:46
Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 13:30
I think Curbishley had too much respect for Arsenal and will play 4-5-1, with Cole a a Lone Striker...
Ethington - Bowyer - Noble - Mullins - Solano will be string across the midfield.
Assuming Parker has not recovered from his injury; and Freddy, Bowyer & Solano are fit to play.
We need the craft of Hleb and Rosicky to open Hammer Defence, plus the predatry instinct and marksmanship of Eduardo when we vary our point of attack or decided to switch to hoof-ball.
I will risk Senderos (rest Kolo) and gallas; and let Gallas has a rest this weekend.
But I suspect gallas is still carrying that ankle injury and will be rested.
The team then will be:
...................Almunia
....Sagna.....Kolo.....Senderos....Clichy
...Hleb....Fabregas....Flamini....Rosicky
............Eduardo.....Adebayor
With Walcott coming in at 70th-minute to add pace to teh attack after Hammer Defence had been ran ragged by Hleb, fabregas and Rosicky.
No, Diaby should not play as he is not match-fit and tends to retard the spped of our attacks by taking too many touches; and indecisive in choosing the right options, especially when he is in teh box. Diaby is still nto match-fit to play one-touch football.
Ethington - Bowyer - Noble - Mullins - Solano will be string across the midfield.
Assuming Parker has not recovered from his injury; and Freddy, Bowyer & Solano are fit to play.
We need the craft of Hleb and Rosicky to open Hammer Defence, plus the predatry instinct and marksmanship of Eduardo when we vary our point of attack or decided to switch to hoof-ball.
I will risk Senderos (rest Kolo) and gallas; and let Gallas has a rest this weekend.
But I suspect gallas is still carrying that ankle injury and will be rested.
The team then will be:
...................Almunia
....Sagna.....Kolo.....Senderos....Clichy
...Hleb....Fabregas....Flamini....Rosicky
............Eduardo.....Adebayor
With Walcott coming in at 70th-minute to add pace to teh attack after Hammer Defence had been ran ragged by Hleb, fabregas and Rosicky.
No, Diaby should not play as he is not match-fit and tends to retard the spped of our attacks by taking too many touches; and indecisive in choosing the right options, especially when he is in teh box. Diaby is still nto match-fit to play one-touch football.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Philly the kid (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 14:05
From Sky sports.com
Injury concerns for Curbishley
Alan Curbishley has a number of injury worries after midfielders Nolberto Solano (hamstring) and Scott Parker (knee) both had to be taken off against Manchester United.
Former Arsenal player Freddie Ljungberg is also struggling with a hamstring problem and may not be able to feature.
The Hammers are already without a whole team of injured players, including Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Bobby Zamora.
Julien Faubert, Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer are all back in training but Curbishley has hinted they will not return until the weekend at the earliest.
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With that number of injuries, i don't know how Curbs has done as well as he has. Kudos to him, but we're gonna show em how it's really done........
Injury concerns for Curbishley
Alan Curbishley has a number of injury worries after midfielders Nolberto Solano (hamstring) and Scott Parker (knee) both had to be taken off against Manchester United.
Former Arsenal player Freddie Ljungberg is also struggling with a hamstring problem and may not be able to feature.
The Hammers are already without a whole team of injured players, including Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Bobby Zamora.
Julien Faubert, Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer are all back in training but Curbishley has hinted they will not return until the weekend at the earliest.
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With that number of injuries, i don't know how Curbs has done as well as he has. Kudos to him, but we're gonna show em how it's really done........
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 15:12
funny how every game with the exception of derby, we have to always be our best. I mean we just beat tottenham drew pompey and beat everton all not playing our best. But the almighty west ham is coming to the emirates!
If we cant beat west ham at home, then what title are we talking about?
They're not real madrid lol
If we cant beat west ham at home, then what title are we talking about?
They're not real madrid lol
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Philly the kid (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 15:26
beat both us and ManUre home and away last year. I wouldn't take them for granted!!!
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 15:46
yeah LAST YEAR! What does that have to do with this year? I dont think that they are a walk in the park, but I fully expect arsenal to beat them properly.
Re: Hammers better away – Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: HappyGΓΆΓΆner (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 16:14
The Hammers are the only team that have won at the Emirates. I remember that game. We threw everything at them but the kitchen sink. But they still hung on. Time for a little payback.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 16:24
agreed happygooner, but if u remember last year we were creating so many chances and not converting any. I would be happy if we played the same way and created the same amount of chances cause with this team we would convert. Arsenal 4 West Ham 1
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: 80'sGoona (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 16:35
If both teams play the same as they did in last years game we'll win. last year we were way too unlucky, not just in that game. this year it wont happen again. and with parker, freddie, solano out, plus all the other injuries, im confident that we'll win easily if we turn up. and we have just gone back to the top so im sure AW will drill it in their heads that we MUST perform and win.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 17:21
We can't take ANY TEAM for granted.
I believe will beat West Ham, but we have to play better than we have been in the couple of weeks, especially the midfield.
4-4-2 FTW!
I believe will beat West Ham, but we have to play better than we have been in the couple of weeks, especially the midfield.
4-4-2 FTW!
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: AJ The Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2008 08:21
this team shouldn't be taken for granted.they are dangerous with set peices which am afraid it's our weakness.they finished utd off by just 2 set pieces,hmmm we better beware.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2008 08:35
Yes AJ...
West Ham greatest attacking threat - Set-pieces
Arsenal greatest Weakness - Defending against Set-pieces.
And Rocky, Arsenal at ITS BEST simply means that we play the Beautiful Game with flowing football, one-touch football at pace, WHU chasing shadows like Villa players...PACE & MOVEMENT.
At its worst is at Boros where they can't string 3 passes together, and with forwards can't even hit the barndoor at 2 yards.
Pompey..Everton...we got lucky as they respected us to much..
If Benjani had not stumbled....?
If we are down 2-0 by half-tme at Everton?
If Ronaldo converted that penalty and goes 2-0 up at Upton Park?
You see Rocky, we are at the Top simply due to 80% Lady Luck favored us; akin to ManLeeds stealing that CL Cup in 1999. That is LadyLuck favoring 'em over Bayern Munich.
And we need to be at our BEST...always...adn we got the squad to do it.
Because we are ARSENAL; and Everton should be one-off like that 4-5-1 "Rope Da Dope" at Cardiff..with slow-coach Bergy as Lone Striker!!!..
We must be at our BEST throughout the season now.
Losing and drawing is not an option anymore in such a tight title race.
Do rememebr that when ManUre won that 8 titles with Fergie Fledgings, they got better and better from January and reached its peak in April/May.
And that is what Team Arsenal Mark 4 must do now:
Getting better and better and reaches its peak on 21-May-2008.
West Ham greatest attacking threat - Set-pieces
Arsenal greatest Weakness - Defending against Set-pieces.
And Rocky, Arsenal at ITS BEST simply means that we play the Beautiful Game with flowing football, one-touch football at pace, WHU chasing shadows like Villa players...PACE & MOVEMENT.
At its worst is at Boros where they can't string 3 passes together, and with forwards can't even hit the barndoor at 2 yards.
Pompey..Everton...we got lucky as they respected us to much..
If Benjani had not stumbled....?
If we are down 2-0 by half-tme at Everton?
If Ronaldo converted that penalty and goes 2-0 up at Upton Park?
You see Rocky, we are at the Top simply due to 80% Lady Luck favored us; akin to ManLeeds stealing that CL Cup in 1999. That is LadyLuck favoring 'em over Bayern Munich.
And we need to be at our BEST...always...adn we got the squad to do it.
Because we are ARSENAL; and Everton should be one-off like that 4-5-1 "Rope Da Dope" at Cardiff..with slow-coach Bergy as Lone Striker!!!..
We must be at our BEST throughout the season now.
Losing and drawing is not an option anymore in such a tight title race.
Do rememebr that when ManUre won that 8 titles with Fergie Fledgings, they got better and better from January and reached its peak in April/May.
And that is what Team Arsenal Mark 4 must do now:
Getting better and better and reaches its peak on 21-May-2008.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2008 18:51
Was that Arsenals best Merlion or luck as u would have it? We only managed 2 goals against the mighty west ham who previously beat us at the emirates with their ONLY attack, and didnt look any different this game.
We surely look at games and this season in different lights.
merlion quote:
Pompey..Everton...we got lucky as they respected us to much..
If Benjani had not stumbled....?
If we are down 2-0 by half-tme at Everton?
If Ronaldo converted that penalty and goes 2-0 up at Upton Park?
You see Rocky, we are at the Top simply due to 80% Lady Luck favored us; akin to ManLeeds stealing that CL Cup in 1999. That is LadyLuck favoring 'em over Bayern Munich.
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I dont understand ur logic at all...with all this IF crap
Anyone can come up with a thousand IF's
Pompey game: if gallas or rosicky converted then what?
Everton game: if we are down 2-0 by half time it would have been 4-2 arsenal. Everton only had a couple shots on goal for heavens sake and 4 dives!
What would have happened if ronaldo would have converted that penalty? score would have been 2-2. We're still ahead by 1 point and on top of the league.
Saying that we're only on top because its 80% luck is disrespectful to this arsenal team. If we have 80% luck then whats Manu percentage to be second?
And one last thing, give respect where respect is due, if u thought that that 1999 final was luck and not sheer will, then u have a serious problem my friend.
The bottom line is Merlion, this Arsenal squad have what all champions must have and that is the WILL to win, not LUCK
We surely look at games and this season in different lights.
merlion quote:
Pompey..Everton...we got lucky as they respected us to much..
If Benjani had not stumbled....?
If we are down 2-0 by half-tme at Everton?
If Ronaldo converted that penalty and goes 2-0 up at Upton Park?
You see Rocky, we are at the Top simply due to 80% Lady Luck favored us; akin to ManLeeds stealing that CL Cup in 1999. That is LadyLuck favoring 'em over Bayern Munich.
----------------------------------------------------------
I dont understand ur logic at all...with all this IF crap
Anyone can come up with a thousand IF's
Pompey game: if gallas or rosicky converted then what?
Everton game: if we are down 2-0 by half time it would have been 4-2 arsenal. Everton only had a couple shots on goal for heavens sake and 4 dives!
What would have happened if ronaldo would have converted that penalty? score would have been 2-2. We're still ahead by 1 point and on top of the league.
Saying that we're only on top because its 80% luck is disrespectful to this arsenal team. If we have 80% luck then whats Manu percentage to be second?
And one last thing, give respect where respect is due, if u thought that that 1999 final was luck and not sheer will, then u have a serious problem my friend.
The bottom line is Merlion, this Arsenal squad have what all champions must have and that is the WILL to win, not LUCK
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2008 21:18
We were at best today, quick out of the blocks, a quick goal and they never recovered.
Last year they beat us twice, the tables are turned this time.
Addy New Year
Last year they beat us twice, the tables are turned this time.
Addy New Year
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: PKGooner (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2008 21:27
Agree with Rockstar.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 03:59
Luck is 70% of winning.
Boros 2 Arsenal 1
Shieffield Unted 1 Arsenal 0
Everton 1 Arsenal 0
West Ham 1 Arsenal 0
Arsenal 0 West ham 1
Liverpol 2 Arsenal 1 (remember Mellor?)
Liverpool o Arsenal 2 (Remember Micheal Thomas?)
ManLeeds 1 Arsenal 0 (rememebr Paul scholes' goal and Kolo point-blank miss?)
How many times "Lucky Lucky Arsenal' had beene choing around English League?
You needed luck..and if lady Luck ahd not deserted us, we would had won CL Cup...and a hattrick of consecutive premeirship titles..and even 5 titles in a row!!!!
It is just lady Luck deserted us at the crucial moment.
Gallas' goal against ManLeeds?
We are lucky that linesman was at the right postion at the right time?
How about unlucky goal of Pienaar sticking out his leg?
Newcastle suffered last minute off-side goal?
Just compared how lucky we are with that linesman when he spotted Gallas goal against ManLeeds.
You can skilful for 93rd minute...but one lucky strike in 94th minute win you the match.
Do not be too arrogance and chased away Lady Luck.
We needed her now for the title run-in..and we need lots and lots of lucky decisions and lucky goals.
ManLeeds got lucky and snatched Cl Cup from the Jaws of Defeat...That is why ferguson refused to retire as his Ego demands that he must win CL Cup properly, like what they did in 1968. He cannot live with that stigma of stealing CL Cup from Bayern Munich.
Chelski won titles after 52 years of trying?
You must be joking especially they were on the verge of bankruptcy till Abramovich came ridng in on his Black Horse......
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.β Saint Thomas Aquinas
Boros 2 Arsenal 1
Shieffield Unted 1 Arsenal 0
Everton 1 Arsenal 0
West Ham 1 Arsenal 0
Arsenal 0 West ham 1
Liverpol 2 Arsenal 1 (remember Mellor?)
Liverpool o Arsenal 2 (Remember Micheal Thomas?)
ManLeeds 1 Arsenal 0 (rememebr Paul scholes' goal and Kolo point-blank miss?)
How many times "Lucky Lucky Arsenal' had beene choing around English League?
You needed luck..and if lady Luck ahd not deserted us, we would had won CL Cup...and a hattrick of consecutive premeirship titles..and even 5 titles in a row!!!!
It is just lady Luck deserted us at the crucial moment.
Gallas' goal against ManLeeds?
We are lucky that linesman was at the right postion at the right time?
How about unlucky goal of Pienaar sticking out his leg?
Newcastle suffered last minute off-side goal?
Just compared how lucky we are with that linesman when he spotted Gallas goal against ManLeeds.
You can skilful for 93rd minute...but one lucky strike in 94th minute win you the match.
Do not be too arrogance and chased away Lady Luck.
We needed her now for the title run-in..and we need lots and lots of lucky decisions and lucky goals.
ManLeeds got lucky and snatched Cl Cup from the Jaws of Defeat...That is why ferguson refused to retire as his Ego demands that he must win CL Cup properly, like what they did in 1968. He cannot live with that stigma of stealing CL Cup from Bayern Munich.
Chelski won titles after 52 years of trying?
You must be joking especially they were on the verge of bankruptcy till Abramovich came ridng in on his Black Horse......
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.β Saint Thomas Aquinas
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 04:05
Rockstaar I understand what you are saying and agree with about our squad having the WILL to win, but how can't that we don't need uck to win a trophy.
Every team/player/athlete in the history of sports has needed even a lit bit of luck on thier side to win something.
Every team/player/athlete in the history of sports has needed even a lit bit of luck on thier side to win something.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 04:27
Luck might win a game or so, but dont be ridiculous and say we've been 80% lucky. We look at life in two different ways. If I'm walking and I find a winning lottery ticket, I'm lucky, but if I BUY a ticket and win then I'm not. U understand the difference.
Merlion said we were lucky because the linesman did his job in the manu game LMAO!!! So every time we lose a game its bad luck? If ade misses a wide open goal, hes unlucky? please where I come from we call that sorry!
Were Everton unlucky to lose 4-1? HELL NO! You dont lose by 4 goals because u were unlucky, especially when u have 45 minutes to go. U lose by 4 goals cause you're crap.(luck would have been an accidental own goal in the last second)
Why should this team go out there and bust they're a.ss, if all they have to do is depend on luck. U and merlion can keep depending on your lady luck, I'll depend on the real people playing the game.
Merlion said we were lucky because the linesman did his job in the manu game LMAO!!! So every time we lose a game its bad luck? If ade misses a wide open goal, hes unlucky? please where I come from we call that sorry!
Were Everton unlucky to lose 4-1? HELL NO! You dont lose by 4 goals because u were unlucky, especially when u have 45 minutes to go. U lose by 4 goals cause you're crap.(luck would have been an accidental own goal in the last second)
Why should this team go out there and bust they're a.ss, if all they have to do is depend on luck. U and merlion can keep depending on your lady luck, I'll depend on the real people playing the game.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 04:37
Merlion, is pulling your leg Rockstaar, with this whole luck thing.
What Merlion meant by his post about luck, was that after many season we finally have been getting our fair share of luck, because for the last two years we had a lot of bad luck and now that we have luck back on our side again suggests that we have a higher chance of winning the league, this season.
What Merlion meant by his post about luck, was that after many season we finally have been getting our fair share of luck, because for the last two years we had a lot of bad luck and now that we have luck back on our side again suggests that we have a higher chance of winning the league, this season.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 04:42
ok mate.
still dont know what u mean by fair share of luck.. but as long as we keep winning fine by me. to each their own.
still dont know what u mean by fair share of luck.. but as long as we keep winning fine by me. to each their own.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 05:07
Just ask Spuds in contrast to Gallas' goal..and Mendes' goal...where Caroll got all the luck in the world!!!
Just ask Benitez over Garcia goal and Mouthinho's face..PRICELESS....
OG got it right as I love a good argument amongst fans...
And that Mother of all Luck is Maradona's Hand of God...CLASSIC!!!...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:01:02:05:08:07 by Merlion96.
Just ask Benitez over Garcia goal and Mouthinho's face..PRICELESS....
OG got it right as I love a good argument amongst fans...
And that Mother of all Luck is Maradona's Hand of God...CLASSIC!!!...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:01:02:05:08:07 by Merlion96.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 05:24
Quote:Rockstaar
still dont know what u mean by fair share of luck.. but as long as we keep winning fine by me. to each their own.
Oh come on now, are you being sarcastic?
Ask any gooner and they will tell you that we had hardly got any luck for past 2 years and finally in this season we have been getting our fair share of luck.
Now, I am not saying that we didn't win anything for past 2 years becasue we have any luck or that we have been doing very well this season because we have had some luck.
All I am saying is that luck or the lack of it affects every team and it affected us as well.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 05:38
Forgetting that we are bloody lucky that Spuds squirted away their 4th Spot in 2005....
BLAME DEIN!!!!!
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.β Saint Thomas Aquinas
BLAME DEIN!!!!!
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.β Saint Thomas Aquinas
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 08:42
The more you practice the more luck you get
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 12:06
Or you make your own luck..your meaning Padre?...
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 18:02
we are on two different planets when it comes to life lol.
What fair share of luck have we had this season, anybody?
What fair share of luck have we had this season, anybody?
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 19:02
Indeed, the skill of Eduardo meant no one saw his handball at Everton, but still lucky to get away with it.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 19:09
Thats the BIG share of luck we had this season. No offense, LMAO, LMAO!
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 20:08
It isn't that we are getting lucky this season, more like we don't that much bad luck as much as last two season, when ref decisions, injuries, hitting the post, etc.. were a bit too much.
Re: Hammers better away – Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: HappyGΓΆΓΆner (IP Logged)
Date: 02/01/2008 22:19
That wasn't luck Padre. That was payback for all the goals we've scored that have been disallowed.
Re: Hammers better away Gunners need to be at best
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 03/01/2008 00:45
Gallas's goal was payback time for that Carrolls save on Mendes' shot..it restores BALANCE..
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