West Ham vs Arsenal: How HAMful will Song be? HAPPY SUNDAY GOONERS! another London Derby presents itself this afternoon, another scrumptious meal in the offing for Wenger to make it 401 league wins as well as 12th London Derby win in the last few seasons. All this confidence I owe it to the well deserved hard fought win against QPR at the Emirates on Boxing day! Thanks to Girouds stupid act and Onuohas theatrics, the Gunners were forced to play with ten jaded feet for a whole half an hour! Alexis Sanchez had another memorable night, with his performances and hunger once again proving that class is permanent and compared to Ozil, the clubs all-time record signing, the 26-year-old Chilean got more hunger for success. Even after squandering his first half penalty, Alexis, once again unlike Ozil (Vs Bayern) he neither lost his gold touch, priceless work rate nor his world class dribbles. As a result he ended up scoring the first goal of the match with a breath taking diving header, off Gibbs well timed cross in the first period. Well what came off the press hours after Sanchez saw his weak penalty parried away by Green, is the man who helped the QPR shot stopper save the Chilean spot kick. VARGAS! yes photo evidence showed that Sanchez fellow country man Eduardo Vargas has been studying the Arsenal man quite closely, and standing behind Arsenals defence, he apparently waved at the direction which Alexis was set to kick and viola! he was spot on!. Moving on swiftly, like I always rant in here, finally my activism voice was heard! Sir Rosicky finally got his nod against QPR and as they say; The rest is history. You would agree with me that the little Mozart has and will never lose his class. Yes, its in his DNA! his vision, pace, game reading and vast experience made all the difference against QPR, playing alongside his class mates Sanchez and the evergreen Santi Cazorla. Rosickys winner came at the perfect moment. Though every single credit fell on Sanchez, whose solo burst almost from Arsenals half bore the goal, the Czech Internationals run from the heart of our midfield with 10 men, was without any doubt precious. He took the the risk to expose the midfield and it all paid off with a superb one touch goal to mark a fantastic comeback; his first goal since his venomous shot against Spurs, as well as making him the clubs 11th league goalscorer this season. Still moving on, today the mighty gunners travel to Upton Park to face big Sams men, on a day which will see former Gunner, Alex Song face his former employers, having departed the club two seasons ago, to FC Barcelona. Song who left the club as an integral part of the team, as well as at the pinnacle of his career, made 138 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals in the process. The question however is: Will the 27-year-old ex-gunner return to HAM his former club?. Song who never quite found favour at Camp Nou, has been the Hammers core pillar infront of the back four, since signing for Sam Allardyces men in the summer for a one year loan spell. The Cameroon international, will serve as a huge boost for West Ham after he was controversially left out of nations 2015 AFCON provisional squad. His strong physique, tough tackles and quick passing, something which the gunners have largely suffered from since his departure, is some of the key attributes the West Ham midfielder boasts. Hoping and praying Flamini will step up his game and match Songs strengths. West Ham will be looking to bounce back from their boxing day 2-0 away defeat to Chelsea; against Wengers men, who have had shaky results on the road this season. We might have enjoyed superior spells at Upton Park in recent visits, but the resurgence which has seen the London outfit sit a point and a position above Arsenal, is not something worth overlooking. Wenger will travel knowing that three crucial points will help his side end the year on a high and at least oust his opponents on the log, with Saints who sit fourth his next opponents. A Theo Walcott double in four minutes and Poldis strike were enough to see off West Ham the last time these two teams met at Upton Park, in a come from behind 1-3 win. With the two Arsenal forwards having decent records against Hammers, I expect the hard headed Wenger to at least give the two a chance with the first team players having had just a days rest. Giroud will start his three match ban today, and as a result this may see Welbeck move upfront with either Walcott, Podolski or Ox stepping into the flanks. Rosicky may keep his starting berth but Cazorla may certainly need a rest, having been an ever present figure in the team since Arsenals 4-1 away win over Galatasaray. Well with Ramsey, Ozil yet to return, maybe Coquelin will step in but we need a strong lineup, which again depends on Sir Wenger. Laurent Koscielny is another player whose services are widely missed, with Arsenals defence not convincing enough especially with Per having forced to adapt to life without his French partner. However, Wenger gave the gunners slim reason to hope for his return when he stated that his condition was to be assessed before the match. Match Facts: Head-to-head Arsenal have won their last eight league and cup games against West Ham in all competitions. The Gunners have scored at least three times in each of their last five matches against the Hammers. West Ham have not beaten Arsenal since winning both meetings 1-0 in the 2006-07 season, triumphing at the Emirates Stadium in April 2007 and at Upton Park in November 2006. West Ham The Hammers have won six of their last seven Premier League home games. They have kept four clean sheets and conceded just three goals in that run. They are unbeaten at Upton Park since August, when they lost their opening two Premier League home matches. Arsenal Arsenal have failed to score in only one of their last 11 away matches in the Premier League - their 2-0 loss to Chelsea on 5 October. The Gunners have conceded five times in their last two away league games - with all but one of those arriving before half-time. With 10 goals and six assists, Alexis Sanchez has scored or assisted half of Arsenals 32 Premier League goals this season. Ian Wright (14) is the only player to reach 10 Premier League goals in fewer games for Arsenal than Sanchez (17). West Ham have won none of the last 12 Barclays Premier League games against Arsenal (W0 D2 L10), losing the last seven in a row. Theo Walcott has scored five goals in his last four Premier League games against the Hammers. Arsenal have won away at West Ham more often than any other team in Premier League history (10). Lukas Podolski has scored four goals in four Premier League games against West Ham. Team news: Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud begins a three-match suspension after being sent off for head-butting in the 2-1 victory over QPR, but Laurent Koscielny could be back from a hamstring problem. [Laurent] Koscielny has a chance, he will have a test tomorrow, said Wenger. He has a little chance. [Alex] Chamberlain has an even smaller chance. [Theo Walcott] was in the squad on Friday but it was difficult to bring him on when it was tight and we had to defend. Hes not far away. My predicted lineup: Szczesny Chambers, Per, Chambers, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Rosicky, Sanchez, Walcott, Welbeck My predictions: Hard fought 2-1 (Cazorla, Sanchez) >> bryoshavin.blogspot
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 12:56:46 +0000