West Ham 1, Arsenal 3: Good win for the Gunners

Saint Santi
Cazorla celebrates his pearler

A good win today for Arsenal! Should have never lost to Chelsea last week. Dropping Mertesacker was a mistake. But it’s past now.

12 points it is, seven behind Chelsea. I still more than believe Arsenal can challenge for the Premiership title. So long as Mr. Wenger resists the temptation to play Koscielny and Vermaelen together at the back. That’s a disaster pairing.

I would also really love to see the front the three of Theo, Ox and Podolski, at least once. Podolski was superb today; as usual helping out in defence and as usual providing great delivery from the left. He’s a signing and a half.

Then Cazorla. He came into his own in the second half. I rate this guy. Highly. But I still want to see him dominate a game from the first whistle. Really put his foot down. Like Iniesta or Cesc. I know he can.

Arteta. I have nothing to say, I’d be here all night. The guy has been one of the league’s best for seven years now. He’s a truly amazing footballer and the soul of Arsenal at the moment.

Ramsey did well. He’s still a bit laid-back. Like for the West Ham goal. Football is not war for him, and to me this is a problem, because football is war. But he’s an exquisite talent; touch, smooth movement, silky skills. He did well. But he’s a front-foot player – brilliant when the team’s on top but still a bit suspect when it’s hard-knock time.

Per Mertesacker is Arsenal’s best defender. The back four of Jenkinson, Per, Vermealen and Gibbs is the one. They compliment each other and this is the most important thing. Per is a defender, so too Jenkinson.

Vermaelen is not a natural defender. But he’s athletic, committed and you need a player like him to bring out the ball of defence ala Agger, Pique, Rio, Luiz, Lucio, Ramos. You need that in the modern game.

The Boss at work
Mikel Arteta

Mannone is a better option than Szczesney to me, even if he’s a less talented keeper. Reason being Mannone loves being a keeper. He’s simple, basic in focus. And for certain positions you need that. I don’t want Picasso in goals. He'll make mistakes, yes. But I believe Mannone will get better with more games and the confidence gained. He did ok today.

As for West Ham, they played well too. Carroll was a real handful, winning almost everything in the air; he even beat Mannone! Beast. I’m a fan. And he’s good with his feet, something he doesn’t get credit for. He’d be a great fit at Arsenal… it’s not like Giroud is Usain Bolt! Sadly, I don’t see it.

With Diaby out, to me Diame is the form central midfielder in the league at the moment. great energy and even greater power, and the boy can play too, as evidenced by his goal - round Ramsey and a top corner Henry finish from a tight angle. A tremendous player. Would be a terrific signing for Arsenal or Man United.

Noble is a very tidy player too. He and Diame make a great combo in the centre of the park for West Ham. And if West Ham can keep that spine fit, Diame, Noble, Nolan, Carroll and the two centrebacks – Collins and Reid – I can see them finishing in the top 10, maybe even top eight.

West Ham's Superman...
Mohamed Diame

Jarvis and Vaz Te work really hard on the flanks and have some skill too. The fullbacks Demel and McCartney are solid. The only question mark around the Hammers might be Jussi Jaaskelainen. He seems low on confidence for some reason. He’s certainly not the Jussi from Bolton a while back. He’s quite shaky. West Ham might need to get Green back in January to help them between the sticks.

And, lastly, what does Theo need to do to get a chance at number nine for Arsenal? At least once. Hopefully that opportunity is coming soon.