We started the game rather brightly but despite some fine spells of possession, it was Manuel Almunia who was being worked the hardest of the two keepers on the field last night. On the 20th minute mark, a counter attack saw Theo strike the cross bar when he could have passed the ball onto Bendtner at the far post for us to very easily have taken the lead. We were a bit sloppy and that essential ball was lost through misplaced first touches by van Persie, Song and Bendtner.
On the 23rd minute mark, Robert Green very clearly handled the ball outside his area, to prevent Bendtner collecting a long ball, had the assistant referee (who was about 84) have been in the position he ought to have been, then Green would have been sent off. Arsenal went on the back burner and this saw some good play by WHU, they launched an exhilarating counter attack after Eboue lost possession and the pass forward found Bellamy in on goal being chased by Clichy. Bellamy’s shot was all but goal bound until a stunning save by Almunia’s trailing foot sent the ball over the bar for a corner.
At the restart, things did not change much, the hammers picked up where they left off and began applying pressure. A corner rebounded off the chest of Matt Upson from 2 yards out and Almunia saved easily.
On the 54th minute mark, we saw another fine run from Theo from right hand side. He slid a ball across the box into the far post which was blocked over the bar by the defenders. A large chunk of West Ham’s second half pressure appeared to come primarily at the courtesy of Eboue’s natural errors; luckily they were unable to make the most of the opportunities.
At the 67th minute mark, Diaby and Adebayor came on for Nasri and Walcott and Arsenal suddenly began to find their groove and the instant change of gears was very obvious. RVP suddenly became alive and unleashed a fierce shot from the left hand side of the box which was parried by Green and Bendtner was unable to convert the rebound. A couple of minutes later, RVP almost scored as following a silly free kick conceded by Scott Parker on Fabregas in a nice position from 25 yards on the right side. RVP’s shot cannoned off the far post with Green absolutely beaten.
The dreadlock was finally beaten as Adebayor, demonstrating some fine close control and cut inside three defenders from the right and unleashing a shot that forced an own goal from Julien Faubert. 1-0 To The Arsenal.
Song made some nice inquisitive runs and RVP was a regular threat down the right flank. In the first minute of extra time after a scurried clearance from our 18 yard box, saw Bendner, who was 15 yards inside his own half down on the left, launched a transcendent ball some 35 yards over the hammer’s defence and right into the feet of Adebayor, who rounded past the on rushing Green and struck the ball calmly into the back of the empty net. 2-0 and game over.
Afterwards Arsene, whilst speaking about the game had the following to say:
'It was a big win for us today, to come out of it with a frustrating 0-0 would have felt like a wasted opportunity to get closer to the top. We knew before the game we could not drop points. West Ham can also feel frustrated because they defended well.'
Arsene Wenger further revealed that he had taken a conscious decision to give Adebayor, a rest by saying:
'Last year I over-used him and now we go into a period where we play every three days, which is why I want to rotate a little bit.'
Which is true actually, we’re playing a lot of game up till December and it is of utmost importance that the squad is rotated as much as possible and the other players be given a chance to prove themselves. I however cannot wait to see Carlos Vela find his groove as he is one helluva prospect.
And finally, Juventus have been linked with making a £6million bid for, wait for it, wait a little more, just a wee bit more, Emmanuel Eboue, ladies & gentlemen. According to this article which you can read here, it claims that Juventus were keen on Eboue during the summer transfer window, and it has been reported that they remain interested and will make an offer in the New Year.
Is there a possibility that we pay them the said amount and throw in a Bentley for their brilliant manager so as to ensure that this deal absolutely goes through?
Right then, that’s the lot.
Until next time, ladies & gentlemen, this is your host, Gonner14, signing out.
Tas van Danya.
2 comments:
Welcome back mate. Everything ok?
what do you think of the article i wrote?
dude, where have you been?
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