PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH
WEST HAM UNITED VS ARSENAL 2-2
DATE : October 25th, 2009
VENUE : Upton Park
ARSENAL GOALS :
Download Arsenal Goal by Van Persie - 16" or Mirror
Download Arsenal Goal by Gallas - 37" or Mirror
WEST HAM UNITED GOALS :
Download West Ham United Goal by Cole - 73"
Download West Ham United Goal by Diamanti - 80"
FULL MATCH :
Download Full Match West Ham United vs Arsenal
OR
Download Full Match West Ham United vs Arsenal First Half or HERE
Download Full Match West Ham United vs Arsenal Second Half or HERE
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :
Download Highlights Match West Ham United vs Arsenal OR Mirror Here
MATCH REPORT :
By Richard Clarke
Arsenal moved up to third in the Premier League despite allowing a two-goal lead to slip at West Ham on Sunday.
First-half strikes from Robin van Persie and William Gallas should have given the visitors a straight-forward victory.
Their hosts seemed to be struggling for ideas and confidence on the day. However, as at Alkmaar in midweek, Arsenal dropped points after being caught late on.
West Ham grabbed a lifeline with 14 minutes left after Vito Mannone parried Valon Behrami’s free-kick onto the head of Carlton Cole, who scored from close range.
Four minutes later, Alex Song was adjudged to have touched Cole and substitute Alessandro Diamanti gleefully equalised from the spot.
Scott Parker’s dismissal clipped the wings of West Ham’s chances of completing the comeback. The home side were also indebted to keeper Robert Green for a stupendous save from Van Persie in injury time.
In midweek, Arsenal’s profligacy cost them little in the long-term. However this could be a more damaging draw.
They had an opportunity to steal ground and they could not take it. This can only be seen as two points dropped.
The stands at Upton Park only began to fill up 30 minutes before kick-off. The bars inside and outside the ground were packed with fans glued to the crucial clash at Anfield. Liverpool’s victory over Manchester United gave Arsenal another opportunity to catch the teams at the top of the table.
The side Wenger entrusted with that task was the same one as Tuesday night. That meant Mannone kept his place despite the return to fitness of Manuel Almunia. The Spaniard was on the bench again.
He was joined by a trio of fit-again players – Eduardo (thigh), Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and, in his first appearance of the season, Samir Nasri (broken leg).
In many ways this was enemy territory for Wenger’s men but, today, an enboldened Arsenal were willing to go at West Ham straight from the off.
In the opening eight minutes, Van Persie saw a backheel blocked and a rising drive tipped over at the near post.
West Ham had pressure but they also had the look of a side who had not won since the opening day of the season.
Teams in that position play reasonably well then concede easy goals – and that is precisely what happened to the home side.
In the 16th minute, Abou Diaby sprung Bacary Sagna on the right. His delicious cross curled away from Green, who followed it out but could only get the merest touch. The ball fell onto the foot of Van Persie, who, almost apologetically volleyed home his sixth goal of the season into the empty net.
West Ham’s response was admirable. In Cole, they had a willing workhorse in the forward channels. Midway through the half the confusion he created on the edge of the area saw Mark Noble wriggle free on the right and fire low into the sidenetting.
However Van Persie was still the biggest thorn in their side. Midway through the half, Andrey Arshavin sent him clear and only a timely invention by James Tomkins prevented the striker scoring. Shortly afterwards he nudged a diving header just wide.
Although Arsenal were the better side they were hardly water-tight at the back. Just past the half-hour, Noble’s free-kick rebounded off the wall and when the ball came back in to the area, Cole slid a header just wide.
This was looking like Tuesday all over again. Arsenal in control and yet not prepared to put the game in a stranglehold. That changed eight minutes before the break.
The visitors won a corner on the right. Van Persie sent it over to the far post and Gallas nodded home. It was a simple goal not worthy of greater description and yet West Ham’s defence had neither the wit nor wisdom to keep it out.
Upton Park was very quiet. It was clearly full of worried fans.
As if to confirm their superiority, Vermaelen roared down the left like a winger only to see his cross drift long and then Eboue weaved in from the right before testing Green with a low shot.
Arsenal went into the break with a considerable cushion.
The visitors were more subdued after the break. It was as if they were waiting for West Ham to test them.
Arshavin, who had been quiet until now, darted past his marker and fired a friendless cutback across goal. Just before the hour, Zola brought on Alessandro Diamanti. The Italian enlivened proceeds with a couple of dips from distance.
Fabregas did likewise shortly afterwards but his swerving effort drifted wide of the post at the last second.
Cole was still West Ham’s best hope. In the 65th minute, he swivelled six yards out before firing over the bar.
However Eboue fired behind from the acutest angle then, after Gael Clichy had blocked a shot from Zavon Hines, Arshavin forced a full-length save from Green with a trademark drive from 25 yards.
Arsenal were coasting and in control. But, as at Alkmaar, they were caught out. Diaby was adjudged to have fouled Hines 10 yards outside the area. Behrami curled the ball towards the near post and Mannone could only parry the ball back into the area where Cole nodded home from close range.
Suddenly, it was game on again when Arsenal should have been home and dry.
West Ham had claims for a penalty almost immediately when Parker went through. But although Gallas hung out his leg, there appeared to be little contact.
With 11 minutes left, the home side did get their spot kick. Song was adjudged to have clipped Cole and Diamanti fired home the penalty.
West Ham now fancied the win and stormed forward. However, they were reduced to 10 men with six minutes left after Parker received his second yellow card.
The dismissal curtailed West Ham’s comeback and, in fact, it was Arsenal who had the best chance to steal the points.
Eboue crossed from the right and Van Persie’s diving header was somehow turned aside by Green.
It was the last act of a disappointing and sobering drama.
Player Rating and Analysis
By 1970’s Gooner
It’s simply not good enough. To have blown away a lead once and then to go and do it again a few days later, in the same manner is beyond belief. Don’t tell me that we need to go three up to feel safe because this is what it looks like it at the moment.
It was really pathetic, going 2-0 up in the first half and not being able to close the game out. The players thought that the game was over after the first 45 minutes. They started playing in second and third gear, not really interested enough to put the game beyond reach.
So the young squad still has a lot to learn, apparently.
Mannone
I still think that he will be a great goalkeeper for Arsenal but he was clearly at fault for their first goal. He should have pushed the ball out for a corner not bring it back into play again.
This goal started their revival and it is almost impossible to move up a gear when you’ve been in a lethargic state for a big part of the second half.
If Almunia was fit he should have been brought back into the team. 5
Sagna
Was a lot better this game. Went forward enough and his crosses were much improved resulting in Arsenal’s first goal. 7
Gallas
Looks invigorated this season and got another goal today. 7
Vermaelen
The centre back that Arsenal needed. Intelligent, physical, a good passer of the ball as well as having an eye for goal. 7
Clichy
Had an average game defensively but was not as good going forward. The quality of his crosses left a lot to be desired. 6
Song
Was having another strong game with his ability to shield the defence and make the simple passes to his forwards or Fabregas. However he tends to foul unnecessarily sometimes and it was fairly stupid of him to do so in the box giving away the penalty. 6
Fabregas
Was playing in second gear from the beginning of the game. Drifted in out of the game and generally was not the usual Cesc we all know. 5
Diaby
Has cut out the fancy stuff in recent games and this has resulted in much better performances. 6
Arshavin
Looked disinterested and like Fabregas was not in the centre of things as we have come to expect from the little Russian demon. 5
Van Persie
One of the few that played well tonight. Scored the first goal and generally led the line well. Nearly scored the winner with a header that was saved by Green in the latter stages of the game. He was however no helped a lot by the below par performances of Fabregas and Arshavin. 7
Eboue
He is a much improved player this season but I feel his inability to make the right decisions at important moments will always hamper his effectiveness. Now if Rosicky was fit or even if Eduardo was in the team we would have probably won the game. 6
Thanks to junior_zanetti, kc123, wigan88, arsenal 4-ever, fred54
WEST HAM UNITED VS ARSENAL 2-2
DATE : October 25th, 2009
VENUE : Upton Park
ARSENAL GOALS :
Download Arsenal Goal by Van Persie - 16" or Mirror
Download Arsenal Goal by Gallas - 37" or Mirror
WEST HAM UNITED GOALS :
Download West Ham United Goal by Cole - 73"
Download West Ham United Goal by Diamanti - 80"
FULL MATCH :
Download Full Match West Ham United vs Arsenal
OR
Download Full Match West Ham United vs Arsenal First Half or HERE
Download Full Match West Ham United vs Arsenal Second Half or HERE
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :
Download Highlights Match West Ham United vs Arsenal OR Mirror Here
MATCH REPORT :
By Richard Clarke
Arsenal moved up to third in the Premier League despite allowing a two-goal lead to slip at West Ham on Sunday.
First-half strikes from Robin van Persie and William Gallas should have given the visitors a straight-forward victory.
Their hosts seemed to be struggling for ideas and confidence on the day. However, as at Alkmaar in midweek, Arsenal dropped points after being caught late on.
West Ham grabbed a lifeline with 14 minutes left after Vito Mannone parried Valon Behrami’s free-kick onto the head of Carlton Cole, who scored from close range.
Four minutes later, Alex Song was adjudged to have touched Cole and substitute Alessandro Diamanti gleefully equalised from the spot.
Scott Parker’s dismissal clipped the wings of West Ham’s chances of completing the comeback. The home side were also indebted to keeper Robert Green for a stupendous save from Van Persie in injury time.
In midweek, Arsenal’s profligacy cost them little in the long-term. However this could be a more damaging draw.
They had an opportunity to steal ground and they could not take it. This can only be seen as two points dropped.
The stands at Upton Park only began to fill up 30 minutes before kick-off. The bars inside and outside the ground were packed with fans glued to the crucial clash at Anfield. Liverpool’s victory over Manchester United gave Arsenal another opportunity to catch the teams at the top of the table.
The side Wenger entrusted with that task was the same one as Tuesday night. That meant Mannone kept his place despite the return to fitness of Manuel Almunia. The Spaniard was on the bench again.
He was joined by a trio of fit-again players – Eduardo (thigh), Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and, in his first appearance of the season, Samir Nasri (broken leg).
In many ways this was enemy territory for Wenger’s men but, today, an enboldened Arsenal were willing to go at West Ham straight from the off.
In the opening eight minutes, Van Persie saw a backheel blocked and a rising drive tipped over at the near post.
West Ham had pressure but they also had the look of a side who had not won since the opening day of the season.
Teams in that position play reasonably well then concede easy goals – and that is precisely what happened to the home side.
In the 16th minute, Abou Diaby sprung Bacary Sagna on the right. His delicious cross curled away from Green, who followed it out but could only get the merest touch. The ball fell onto the foot of Van Persie, who, almost apologetically volleyed home his sixth goal of the season into the empty net.
West Ham’s response was admirable. In Cole, they had a willing workhorse in the forward channels. Midway through the half the confusion he created on the edge of the area saw Mark Noble wriggle free on the right and fire low into the sidenetting.
However Van Persie was still the biggest thorn in their side. Midway through the half, Andrey Arshavin sent him clear and only a timely invention by James Tomkins prevented the striker scoring. Shortly afterwards he nudged a diving header just wide.
Although Arsenal were the better side they were hardly water-tight at the back. Just past the half-hour, Noble’s free-kick rebounded off the wall and when the ball came back in to the area, Cole slid a header just wide.
This was looking like Tuesday all over again. Arsenal in control and yet not prepared to put the game in a stranglehold. That changed eight minutes before the break.
The visitors won a corner on the right. Van Persie sent it over to the far post and Gallas nodded home. It was a simple goal not worthy of greater description and yet West Ham’s defence had neither the wit nor wisdom to keep it out.
Upton Park was very quiet. It was clearly full of worried fans.
As if to confirm their superiority, Vermaelen roared down the left like a winger only to see his cross drift long and then Eboue weaved in from the right before testing Green with a low shot.
Arsenal went into the break with a considerable cushion.
The visitors were more subdued after the break. It was as if they were waiting for West Ham to test them.
Arshavin, who had been quiet until now, darted past his marker and fired a friendless cutback across goal. Just before the hour, Zola brought on Alessandro Diamanti. The Italian enlivened proceeds with a couple of dips from distance.
Fabregas did likewise shortly afterwards but his swerving effort drifted wide of the post at the last second.
Cole was still West Ham’s best hope. In the 65th minute, he swivelled six yards out before firing over the bar.
However Eboue fired behind from the acutest angle then, after Gael Clichy had blocked a shot from Zavon Hines, Arshavin forced a full-length save from Green with a trademark drive from 25 yards.
Arsenal were coasting and in control. But, as at Alkmaar, they were caught out. Diaby was adjudged to have fouled Hines 10 yards outside the area. Behrami curled the ball towards the near post and Mannone could only parry the ball back into the area where Cole nodded home from close range.
Suddenly, it was game on again when Arsenal should have been home and dry.
West Ham had claims for a penalty almost immediately when Parker went through. But although Gallas hung out his leg, there appeared to be little contact.
With 11 minutes left, the home side did get their spot kick. Song was adjudged to have clipped Cole and Diamanti fired home the penalty.
West Ham now fancied the win and stormed forward. However, they were reduced to 10 men with six minutes left after Parker received his second yellow card.
The dismissal curtailed West Ham’s comeback and, in fact, it was Arsenal who had the best chance to steal the points.
Eboue crossed from the right and Van Persie’s diving header was somehow turned aside by Green.
It was the last act of a disappointing and sobering drama.
Player Rating and Analysis
By 1970’s Gooner
It’s simply not good enough. To have blown away a lead once and then to go and do it again a few days later, in the same manner is beyond belief. Don’t tell me that we need to go three up to feel safe because this is what it looks like it at the moment.
It was really pathetic, going 2-0 up in the first half and not being able to close the game out. The players thought that the game was over after the first 45 minutes. They started playing in second and third gear, not really interested enough to put the game beyond reach.
So the young squad still has a lot to learn, apparently.
Mannone
I still think that he will be a great goalkeeper for Arsenal but he was clearly at fault for their first goal. He should have pushed the ball out for a corner not bring it back into play again.
This goal started their revival and it is almost impossible to move up a gear when you’ve been in a lethargic state for a big part of the second half.
If Almunia was fit he should have been brought back into the team. 5
Sagna
Was a lot better this game. Went forward enough and his crosses were much improved resulting in Arsenal’s first goal. 7
Gallas
Looks invigorated this season and got another goal today. 7
Vermaelen
The centre back that Arsenal needed. Intelligent, physical, a good passer of the ball as well as having an eye for goal. 7
Clichy
Had an average game defensively but was not as good going forward. The quality of his crosses left a lot to be desired. 6
Song
Was having another strong game with his ability to shield the defence and make the simple passes to his forwards or Fabregas. However he tends to foul unnecessarily sometimes and it was fairly stupid of him to do so in the box giving away the penalty. 6
Fabregas
Was playing in second gear from the beginning of the game. Drifted in out of the game and generally was not the usual Cesc we all know. 5
Diaby
Has cut out the fancy stuff in recent games and this has resulted in much better performances. 6
Arshavin
Looked disinterested and like Fabregas was not in the centre of things as we have come to expect from the little Russian demon. 5
Van Persie
One of the few that played well tonight. Scored the first goal and generally led the line well. Nearly scored the winner with a header that was saved by Green in the latter stages of the game. He was however no helped a lot by the below par performances of Fabregas and Arshavin. 7
Eboue
He is a much improved player this season but I feel his inability to make the right decisions at important moments will always hamper his effectiveness. Now if Rosicky was fit or even if Eduardo was in the team we would have probably won the game. 6
Thanks to junior_zanetti, kc123, wigan88, arsenal 4-ever, fred54
