A walk in the (Upton) Park
94 comments January 16th, 2011
West Ham 0 – 3 Arsenal (Van Persie, Walcott)
Highlights | Arsene’s reaction
66% possession away from home tells its own story…
We were completely dominant. Whilst I don’t want to downplay our own performance – ESPN did quite enough of that yesterday – West Ham were dire. I say that as someone who has a few connections at that club and takes little pleasure from their plight. Yesterday, they were without key players Parker and Piquionne, and lost Mark Noble to injury after just 20 minutes. The players who played in their stead lacked ability and, crucially, belief.
The possession stat demonstrates that West Ham simply didn’t apply enough pressure high enough up the pitch, enabling us to get our passing game going right from the back. Possession alone can’t win you games, however, as we’ve found out to our cost in the past. Fortunately…
We were more efficient than in recent games…
Bringing Nasri and Van Persie back in to the side gave us a sharpness in the final third. Crucially, we managed to get the second goal before half-time, rendering the final 45 something of a no contest.
The attacking trio had great balance…
Van Persie had the touch and awareness to find the two players either side of him, Nasri and Walcott, who both provide very different threats. This article by Zonal Marking showcases the variation in their movement: Nasri moves in to the middle to link with Cesc, whilst Walcott stretches the game and looks for space both inside and outside the full-back.
Walcott destroyed Wayne Bridge…
The loan ranger from City could well have ben Man of the match on his debut – only for the wrong team. A hatrick of mistakes contributed to each one of our goals. First he gave Walcott too much space to cross for Van Persie, then played the Dutchman onside and allowed Theo to get the wrong side of him for the second. Finally, his foul for the penalty was clumsy and needless. Still, thanks to Bridge and indeed Manchester City for making yesterday quite so leisurely.
Wilshere was outstanding in central midfield…
It seemed that playing against the team he supported as a boy fired him up even more than usual. Rather than the over-the-top tackles we saw at the start of the season, he channeled that in to a driving performance alongside the steady Alex Song. Wilshere has a great ability to receive the ball, turn and face goal all in one movement, which is perfect for launching quick breaks from deep.
Djourou appeared to be playing in roller-skates…
After his recent run of form he was due a bad game, and yesterday’s nervy performance seemed due as much to a poor choice of footwear as anything else. Still, it was infuriating listening to Chris Waddle describe Djourou as an ‘out of position midfield player’. Djourou hasn’t played regularly in midfield since he was in his mid-teens. It was such an odd comment that I almost wondered if he’d confused the Swiss giant for the injured Abou Diaby.
Whilst Djourou’s eggy display may well have been a one-off, such performances are only going to become more likely if he and Koscielny are forced to play every game in this congested period. The signing of a centre-back looks more necessary with each passing game.
Szczesny made one vital save…
…to deny Carlton Cole after one particularly loose Djourou back-pass, standing up strong a la Schmeichel. He remains an outstanding prospect, and whilst I feel Manuel Almunia has been a little unfairly treated, I’m glad to see Szczesny getting the games his talent warrants.
Some of these guys need to play at Leeds…
On Wednesday we travel to Elland Road for what will be a very tricky replay indeed. I’d love to see the likes of Song, Nasri and Fabregas in that team so we can go all out for a win and keep our positive momentum.
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Right, off to cheer on Spurs now. It’s an odd, odd feeling.
