There’s no rest for the wicked at this time of year, with the dust yet to settle on a hard fought victory over QPR, Arsenal contemplate a trip to high flying West Ham at Upton Park. Both West Ham and Southampton still sit above the Gunners in the table, but Arsenal get the chance to depose both of them personally in the next few days.
West Ham have a very good home record this season and Allardyce’s team selection at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day suggests that he certainly viewed this as a more winnable fixture. The Irons have five hours more recovery time too which doesn’t sound like a lot, but when the window between fixtures is so minute, every minute is significant.
Olivier Giroud’s moment of impetuousness has exacerbated matters slightly with extra energy, both physical and nervous, required to seal the points against QPR.
I can’t see an awful lot of rotation for Arsenal simply through lack of choice. Rosicky appeared to cramp up towards the end of the match yesterday and it’s unlikely he will be able to start two games in three days, but much will depend on whether Chamberlain is fit enough to take any part.
Upfront, the front 3 of Alexis, Giroud and Welbeck has looked a touch narrow, Giroud’s enforced hiatus means either Walcott or more likely Podolski will come in, which might not be a bad thing if it offers the Gunners a little more width.
Vital Quotes:
Arsene Wenger has hinted that Lukas Podolski may start against West Ham, ‘He hasn’t played much this season and he lacks a little bit of competitive sharpness, but he can only find it if I play him.
‘I need to make the decision but I need to rotate a bit because we play so many games now.’
Wenger also suggested that he expects nothing less than a tough game at Upton Park, ‘We have learned that in the Premier League every game is a tough one.
‘Chelsea lost at Newcastle, we have to go to West Ham, on top of that it’s a derby. We have given a lot against QPR so we have to make sure that we are completely focused on the game.’
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has paid tribute to ex Arsenal midfielder Alex Song, hailing the Cameroonian as one of his best signings, ‘It was much greater delight when we signed Alex than when we heard he`s not going to the African Cup of Nations,” said Allardyce. “Because that was under the radar, it took a little while for anybody to twig on which was very unusual.
“Under the radar was very important because it fended off any other possible takers for Alex. I thought it was a miracle, based on what normally leaks out. We fended off one big club in Turkey at the time and it wasn`t just West Ham he was impressed with but also the fact he loves London, from his Arsenal time. If he likes it, he might want to stay.
“What started off to be an enquiry ended up being a deal that was done extremely quickly. When it came off that quick and he chose us, then I was absolutely delighted.
“Every West Ham fan now sees why I was so happy about clinching such a player and what it means to us as a team in terms of his ability to control a game and to control midfield. Not being in the Cameroon squad is delightful for me, but not as big a delight as when he joined us.
“In terms of my best signings, Alex is up there with Fernando Hierro and Ivan Campo from Madrid, the way he plays the game and controls and sits in that midfield. He`s cool, calm, never rushed, that`s a measure of a quality player – when he never looks under pressure or rushed in what he tries to do.”
West Ham United Team News:
West Ham will be without Carl Jenkinson, who is not eligible to face his parent club, but Alex Song and Diafra Sakho should return to the starting line up. James Tomkins is out with a hamstring problem.
West Ham United (from): Reid, Cresswell, Nolan (c), Jarvis, Kouyate, Carroll, Zarate, Downing, Vaz Te, Adrian, Sakho, Noble, O’Brien, Collins, Demel, Amalfitano, Jaaskelainen, Poyet, Cole, Song, Valencia.
Player to watch: Andy Carroll
Arsenal look generally much more secure with Mertesacker next to Monreal at centre half. The German in particular appeared to be buoyed by critics in the Boxing Day win over QPR.
But Andy Carroll is sure to give the defence a stern examination, which Laurent Koscielny could be called upon to deal with. Carroll is looking leaner and fitter than he has for some years too, he will be tasked with harrying the centre halves in possession and disrupting Arsenal’s passing game.
Arsenal Team News:
Olivier Giroud starts a three match suspension after his red card against Rangers. He joins Mikel Arteta (calf), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Mesut Ozil (knee), Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) and Serge Gnabry (knee) on the sidelines.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (groin) will be checked, Laurent Koscielny (achilles) is expected to return.
Arsenal (from); Szczesny, Debuchy, Gibbs, Mertesacker (c), Koscielny, Rosicky, Podolski, Ospina, Walcott, Chamberlain, Alexis, Monreal, S.Cazorla, Flamini, Chambers, Sanogo, Welbeck, Campbell, Coquelin, Bellerin.
Player to watch: Lukas Podolski
For my QPR match preview, I made Tomas Rosicky my player to watch with the closing thought, ‘Here’s your chance, Tomas!’ Chance taken it must be said, but now the same applies to Lukas Podolski, Rosicky’s bench buddy.
With Giroud out and Walcott surely not ready to start, the German has a presentable opportunity to stake his claim and build on his good record against West Ham.
Podolski does offer a fixity that our recent front 3 don’t because he doesn’t tend to wander too far from the left, even if he tucks in slightly. Alexis and Welbeck tend to drift across the front line, which has made us a bit narrow. Whether it be Monreal or Gibbs at left back tomorrow, they may be relieved to have a more reliable passing option.
Match Facts & Stats
Arsene Wenger has a record of ten victories, five draws and two defeats at Upton Park in all competitions.
Lukas Podolski has scored 4 goals in his last 3 appearances against West Ham.
West Ham have not beaten Arsenal since completing a season double over the Gunners in 2006-07.
Arsenal have gone a goal down, only to win 3-1 the last three times these teams have met.
West Ham were the last visiting team to win a game at Highbury and the first to win one at the Emirates.
Alex Song faces his old club.
Ref Watch:
Neil Swarbrick will officiate.
Match Prediction:
Given the travails faced in beating QPR and the lack of rotation options, I think this will be an incredibly tough game for Arsenal. I’m opting for a 1-1 draw with goals from Cazorla and Carroll.
Next Fixtures:
Arsenal are away at Southampton at 3pm on New Year’s Day. West Ham will play West Brom at home at the same time.