Firstly, apologies for the slackness of the blogging - Mrs Footy and I have been away in Brazil and we meant to write the blogs from there but we didn't get round to it..... (too much partying and caipirinhas...)
But on to the game, I'm sure that many other Arsenal fans like me are breathing a huge sigh of relief after Alex Song's 88th minute winner finally defeated a determined West Ham side. We started the game slowly and didn't have the attacking pazzazz of recent games, but still forced Rob Green into a number of good saves. West Ham were looking quite threatening from set pieces and crosses into the box but Fabianski did well with a couple of punches.
In the second half we came out with a bit more purpose and West Ham started getting more desperate. Nasri cracked a 35 yrd free kick against the bar (who knew he could do that?) and Walcott hit the inside of the post after latching on to a Fabregas through ball. But for all the pressure Rob Green was having a stormer and it looked like it was going to be one of those days. Then the ball fell to Clichy on the left and he dinked a great ball in with his right foot and Song stooped to head in a priceless goal!!
Overall the performance wasn't our best but we did more than enough to win the game - it's all about the result which keeps us within 5 points of Chelsea (who somehow managed to scam another win despite being outplayed again...). In terms of performances I think the defence did well and it was pleasing to keep another clean sheet, thats three in a row now and will do Fabianski's confidence no harm. Hopefully I won't jinx anything but the sight of Fabianski in goal is no longer as heart attack inducing as it used to be, if he continues the solid form of the last few games then we may not need to sign a new keeper in January after all - the problem is one mistake and its back to square one....
I think Fabregas was having a rare off day and Arshavin was getting in to good positions but not capitalising on them, but its always good to have options on the bench and the fact that we were able to bring on an in-form Walcott and Bendtner shows that we have a good sized squad. With the injuries starting to clear up I think we in a good position right now. I think with everyone fit we have one of the strongest squads in the league, for example who else has players of the class of Chamakh, Van Persie or Bendtner competing for one spot up front, or Fabregas, Song, Wilshere, Nasri, Denilson, Diaby, Rosicky, Ramsey, Lansbury and Eastmond for three midfield spots. Anyway lets not get too carried away, we know injuries could just be around the corner and we have some tough looking games coming up.
Enjoy the weekend, just sitting down now to see Spurs do their usual "roll over and die" tactic against Man United...
Mr F
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