EYEWITNESS: Arsenal 1 West Ham United 0, FA Premier League

Saturday October 30, 2010

FA PREMIER LEAGUE: ARSENAL 1 WEST HAM UNITED 0

EYEWITNESS report from the EMIRATES STADIUM

by RICHARD OSLEY

USUALLY with five minutes to go at Ashburton Grove, there is a sea of red seats. The game done and dusted, the fans drift away well before the final whistle. This afternoon, they were sweating to the final moments, pinned to their seats in fear that somehow Arsenal would fail to secure a victory against an awful West Ham United side. And, on this evidence, they are awful, possibly heading towards relegation.

An easy task was turned into an unnecessarily difficult encounter as the normally slick Arsenal passing machine got bogged down in their own elaboration and West Ham clung to an unlikely away point. The main thorn was Robert Green, who always plays well against Arsenal as if to remind Arsene Wenger that he could have been better off if he had signed him around the time Jens Lehmann left north London. This afternoon, he was outstanding, a different man from the fumbling figure who had such a miserable World Cup with England. Twice he repelled goalbound efforts from Cesc Fabregas with expert diving saves. You could almost see a red mist of frustration descend in front of the Arsenal captain's eyes, who tired apparently under the strain of a pull on his hamstring. Gunners fans must wait to see if he has sustained any significant damage in this derby.

Arsenal didn't play so badly. On another day, Nasri's free-kick may have come down off the crossbar and into the net rather than flying to safety. Same goes for sub Theo Walcott's angled shot which was foiled by the upright of the goal and then bounced into Green's hands. There were plenty of chances to kill the game. In the end, Arsenal chose minute 88 to finally pierce the West Ham rearguard. Gael Clichy walked through the defence before centring for Alex Song's stooping head. That's his third goal in four games, not bad for a player who many fans once felt would struggle to find a regular spot in Arsene Wenger's plans.

ARSENAL RATINGS

FABIANSKI 7: Calm during rare West Ham attacks.

SAGNA 8: More of an attacking midfielder in this contest. Smart runs almost opened up Hammers back four.

CLICHY 8: Made the goal and looked comfortable.

SQUILLACI 7: Nothing to test him here.

KOSCIELNY 7: Fighting Djourou for his place.

FABREGAS 7: Creative but frustrated.

SONG 9: Vital goal and tough in midfield. Another ref might have taken tougher action against his tackles, though.

ARSHAVIN 5: Horrible recent form. Theo Walcott will want his starting place.

NASRI 8: Almost netted a wonder free-kick. Efficient all game.

DENILSON 7: Solid, quietly got on with his job.

CHAMAKH 6: Toothless, but still holds the ball up well.

Man of the match: ALEX SONG

Subs:
Szczesny
Vela
Rosicky
Djourou
Walcott
Eboue
Bendtner