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| Matt, Michael and Lisa arrive at the Library |
There’s an ominous start to the day as even Fraser has gone
down with injury, though we're not sure if a teacup is involved. So it’s down
to myself, Matt, Lisa and Michael The Fan of the World’s Longest-Running
Science Fiction Serial Whose Name I Forget. After cups of tea at my gaff we arrive at the Emirates to discover Matt
Jarvis has grown a beard during his extensive spell on the bench. We later learn that Adrian has dislocated a finger in the warm-up but bravely plays on.
Arsenal start off dangerously with Walcott running on to
Ozil’s flick and Collins robbing him with what at the time appears to be a
great tackle, though looking at the replays it looks like it might have been a
penalty. But West Ham defend well for the first 15 minutes and Jarvis is having
some joy on the left. Noble plays a great pass through the defence to Jarvis,
who crosses for Noble to connect well with a volley that Ospina scoops wide of the post.
The West Ham fans enjoy themselves by singing “We hate
Tottenham more than you!” and “Big Fat
Sam went to Barcelona in a Ford Fiesta/He came back with Alex Song and said f**k
off Iniesta!
The rest of the half sees a series of Arsenal chances.
Chambers crosses for Ramsey to prod towards the roof of the net only for Adrian
to tip it over. The Hammers’ custodian then produces decent saves from Walcott
and a Sanchez volley. He then parries an Ozil effort towards Walcott who slices
wide.
The half moves into added time and just as it looks like a
good defensive performance will see us go in level Arsenal produce yet more
high-tempo tippy tappy stuff from Ozil and co, as Giroud takes the ball off Ramsey and
powers a great cross shot into the net. Nothing the heroic Adrian could do
about that. Bugger.
West Ham at least have a go at Arsenal for the first 30
minutes of the second half. A Jarvis cross sees the ball stuck a couple of feet
from the Arsenal line, but it’s scrambled clear. Sakho, alone up front, wins a
corner with no support from the midfield as Big Sam goes mental on the
touchline. From the corner a clearance lands at the feet of Jarvis who volleys
horribly over.
YOU'RE NOT FIT TO REFEREE!
Referee Chris Foy has to go off injured, inspiring a great chant
from the West Ham fans of “You’re not fit to referee!”
Ramsey shoots wide for the Gunners. Alex Song, aided by
Noble, is having a fine game in midfield but we need to get something from this
dominant spell. Instead WHU produce a series of botched short corners, an overhit free
kick into the arms of Ospina and a series of Jarvis and Downing crosses that
fail to find their man.
We know Arsenal will suddenly up a gear. Song misplaces a
pass and Collins has to retrieve the situation by booting the ball away for a
throw-in. From the throw Giroud is too quick thinking for our defence, producing a clever
dummy and playing a one-two with Aaron Ramsey for the midfielder to prod home on
81 minutes.
‘Two-nil and you still don’t sing!” chant the away fans,
morphing effortlessly into “Three-nil and you still don’t sing!” as a six-man
moves ends with Cazorla crossing and the unmarked Flamini drifting into score
at the back post.
Kouyate at least makes a late surge from defence to fire
over and at the final whistle takes the trouble to walk over to the West Ham
fans and give his shirt away. Arsenal look a quality side, but when we’ve had
chances with corners, free kicks and crosses we’ve failed to produce any
quality.
We walk back to May Mansions where north London is full of
beer, beer and more beer (and crisps and peanuts), which is at least a notch up
on the Central. We’re up against a team that has just lost 4-0 at home next
week. What could possibly go wrong?
TEAM RATINGS: Adrian
8; O’Brien 5, Collins 6, Kouyate 6, Cresswell 5; Jarvis 6 (amalfitano 5), Nolan 5, Song 7,
Noble 6 (Nene 5), Downing 5; Sakho 6.
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