01.01.2008
Barclays Premier League
3pm
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)
Team news
Arsenal: Arsenal: Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Hleb 76),
Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky (Diaby 88), Eduardo (Walcott 62), Adebayor
Subs: Lehmann, Song
West Ham United: Green, Neill (c), Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Pantsil,
Noble, Mullins (Camara 76), Spector, Ljungberg (Collison 37), Cole (Ashton
71)
Subs: Wright, Tomkins
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Noble cheered by Collison bow - WHUFC
Mark Noble has spoken of how Jack Collison will never forget his first-team
debut at Arsenal
01.01.2008
Mark Noble has spoken of his pride at seeing Jack Collison and James Tomkins
involved against Arsenal on New Year's Day.
The 20-year-old was thrilled to see two more follow him from the Academy
into the first-team set-up, with both named on the bench at the Emirates
Stadium. Reserve-team captain Collison, at 19, is five months older than the
18-year-old Tomkins and the midfielder went one better than the England
youth international defender by being called into action.
Collison entered the fray when Freddie Ljungberg limped off just before
half-time and, although a low point for the team in terms of the injury,
Noble focused on the positive. Especially as his young team-mate got his
opportunity at such an impressive venue against a team regarded as potential
European champions. "Jack must be really happy to get his debut at the
Emirates. He will never forget it, I know that.
"I was really hoping they would get a chance today," he said. "Jack got a
lot of the game because of Freddie's injury and I am a bit gutted Tomks
never come on but he will get his chance soon." Noble will not be the only
one happy - Academy director Tony Carr can now point to five players
involved in the first team, with Anton Ferdinand and Kyel Reid the other two
to have gone right through the ranks.
As a fellow midfielder, Noble's meteoric rise has set the benchmark for
Collison to follow but the energetic box-to-box midfielder is not doing too
badly on that front. As well as captaining the reserves this season, the
Watford-born talent, who possesses a fearsome shot, has been capped by Wales
at Under-21 level - starring in recent competitive match wins against
Bosnia-Herzegovina and France.
He and Tomkins will certainly be in the frame for Saturday's FA Cup game
against Manchester City with Noble admitting those who have played over the
holiday period were perhaps feeling it in the 2-0 defeat on Tuesday. "There
are so many games over the Christmas period. It is unbelievable. I think the
boys looked tired in the second half but we enjoyed the game and we can take
some positives out of it.
"I enjoyed it as you always will at Arsenal. We conceded two sloppy goals on
our behalf and paid the price really because we created some chances in the
first half. They cleared off the line and we had a few other good chances so
we just needed to hang in there in the second half and not make it an
embarrassment - and we did that."
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'Worthwhile project' takes spotlight - WHUFC
Sir Trevor Brooking has raised the profile of the Thames Gateway Football
Project
01.01.2008
As West Ham United head into 2008 on a high, the commitment to supporting
worthy causes continues to be at the heart of the club.
The Thames Gateway Football Project is just such an initiative, helping
disadvantaged young people across east London. It is a unique collaboration
between local authorities, the private sector, local communities and three
other clubs alongside West Ham United, namely Charlton Athletic, Dagenham &
Redbridge and Millwall.
At a recent fundraising dinner held at the Boleyn Ground, project patron Sir
Trevor Brooking was the guest of honour alongside other notable former
Hammers players like Tony Gale, the defender turned football pundit who was
the compere for the night. The evening raised more than £18,000, with those
attending taking part in a special auction for various items of football
memorabilia.
Sir Trevor, who served West Ham United to distinction between 1967 and 1984,
said: "The Thames Gateway Youth Football Project is very close to my heart.
It is a vehicle that allows youngsters to get involved with football and
manages to reach kids who would not otherwise have such opportunities.
"We are in an area that actually has one of the lowest football
participation rates in the country - London has 16 per cent of the UK's
population but only three per cent of the facilities, and so many young
people never have the chance to play.
"It is possible to see that many kids who struggle with numeracy and
literacy are able to 'read' football, and engaging them in coaching sessions
helps their decision making skills as well as nurturing their creativity.
This worthwhile project is in need of a corporate sponsor or a main backer
and I urge anyone to get involved in this way."
Organisers were delighted at the generosity of the 180 attendees on the
night including a donation from Barclays Bank of £2,750. The money raised
will help to fund the free coaching and playing opportunities and education,
training and employment provided by the project.
Since its launch in 1998, TGYFP has worked with more than 45,000 young
people - getting many off the streets, out of trouble and even enabling some
to develop successful careers in professional football. The project runs
after-school clubs, estates, fit-4-life incentive schemes, healthy living,
young women's development and coach education programmes in Barking &
Dagenham, Bexley, the City of London, Greenwich, Havering, Newham, Thurrock
and Tower Hamlets.
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'We had to dig deep' - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley saw plenty of positives in the New Year's Day derby defeat
at Arsenal
01.01.2008
Alan Curbishley remains upbeat despite the 2-0 loss at the Emirates Stadium
- emphasising that he was pleased to see his team not lose heart.
An early strike by Eduardo and a virtuoso second from Emmanuel Adebayor set
Arsenal on their way on New Year's Day. Instead of heads going down, the
visitors kept on fighting throughout the London derby. "It was probably just
one game too many for us over Christmas, but both sides ran out of legs by
the end," the manager said.
"It wasn't the start we wanted of course, letting in a goal in the first
couple of minutes because that's not what we have been about at all this
season. The back four, all our defenders, have been fantastic for us and,
while it was a great finish from Eduardo, that hasn't been us this season,
conceding like that, so we were disappointed. It can be a bit of an uphill
task from them scoring early, but you have to regroup and get on with it."
Mindful of the exertions of Saturday's 2-1 home win against the champions
and well aware that Robert Green had to pick the ball out of the net six
times at Reading on this day a year ago, Curbishley added: "The Manchester
United match took a lot out of us as well. I said to them at half-time, we
have done ever so well so far this season, we have got to dig in and make
sure it doesn't become like last New Year's Day. We had to dig deep and I am
really pleased that we did that."
With four matches played in quick succession, Curbishley said he would have
liked to have changed the team around to keep it fresh but had been unable.
"I couldn't rest anyone because of injuries and if you look at Arsenal, they
had a great result up at Everton before this game and only made one change
today.
"Scotty Parker and Nobby Solano who were very much influential to us in the
first half against United, were out today and Freddie [Ljungberg] - we think
it might be his hamstring - had to come off. The back four, who I have
mentioned, the likes of Greenie, Lucas [Neill], Matty Upson and George
[McCartney] have played near on every game this season and I was bit
worried, but they got through it all and now we get on with the next game
coming up."
Explaining his formation that saw Carlton Cole get the lone striker's role
ahead of Dean Ashton, Curbishley said: "We put Deano on the bench because we
wanted a 4-5-1 and Coley was more suited to that, but even he ran out of
legs in the end.
"With Deano, we have managed to get him through the first half of the season
and have got to be careful with him, he understands that. We have another
game in four days [against Manchester City] which is coming up quick and so
the thinking behind it all is making sure we are all getting through it.
Leading up to the Manchester United game, Deano had four games in space of
two weeks himself so we will see now what we have for the weekend."
Another positive for the manager was the debut of 19-year-old midfielder
Jack Collison, who came on for the injured Ljungberg. Young defender James
Tomkins was also on the bench and the West Ham United boss said he would
have had not qualms about playing him either if needed.
"They are two young lads who have been training with us regularly and I just
felt that with the both of them, let's give them a go. They are players full
of enthusiasm. Jack came on in a difficult situation, we were behind, away
at Arsenal , but he acquitted himself very well.
"I wouldn't have been adverse to putting James Tomkins on as well if it had
to be done. They are two young boys who have come to Emirates today and
really enjoyed it. I know we have been beat, and we're not happy about that,
but two people have been given a bit of a lift today being with the first
team."
Curbishley said he was hopeful that Matty Etherington may be back in
contention to play against City in the FA Cup third-round tie this weekend
while Lee Bowyer also has an outside chance. France winger Julian Faubert,
yet to feature for the Hammers, is also continuing his return to fitness in
full training.
While defeat at the league leaders was disappointing, Curbishley can still
be satisfied with the two wins and one draw collected over the busy festive
season. "When you compare with where we were this time last year, we will be
pleased - but also a bit frustrated. With the situation we are in, it has
perhaps stopped us from pushing on that bit more which we would have liked.
"Last year was fantastic in terms of getting out of trouble and doing what
we have done so far this season. The positive way also to look at it all, is
that people who might not have got the chances, have taken them. Together
with players to come back it has and will continue to make the squad
stronger."
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Arsenal 2-0 West Ham - BBC
By Chris Bevan
Arsenal comfortably saw off West Ham to maintain their two-point lead at the
top of the Premier League table. Eduardo put the Gunners ahead in the second
minute, finding space in the box to smash home into the bottom corner. Anton
Ferdinand had a shot cleared off the line as West Ham responded well but
Emmanuel Adebayor made it 2-0, slotting home from the narrowest of angles.
The Hammers' attacking threat faded as the game wore on and they ran out of
ideas well before the final whistle. Alan Curbishley's side, whose victory
over Manchester United on Saturday had allowed Arsenal to reclaim top spot,
came to the Emirates Stadium on the back of a productive festive period that
has seen them move back into the top half of the table. But they were
chasing this game from the start thanks to Eduardo's latest strike, his
fifth in his last three starts. With two minutes gone, the Brazil-born
Croatia international ghosted between Ferdinand and Matthew Upson, chested
down Cesc Fabregas's cross with his first touch and buried the ball past
Robert Green with his second. Green's frustration at the amount of room
Eduardo had been given was clear, but he could have no complaints about West
Ham's response. First Mark Noble's toe-poke flew just wide, then Carlton
Cole shrugged off Justin Hoyte and saw his shot spin off Kolo Toure and arch
past the post. The Hammers went even closer from the resulting corner which
saw Ferdinand's deflected near-post shot cleared off the line by Gael
Clichy. But Arsenal are known for their resilience almost as much as for
their flair these days and the Gunners not only held out, but increased
their lead in the 18th minute. Adebayor beat Green to Clichy's long ball
and, after nodding past the stranded goalkeeper, he threaded his shot
between the post and defender Upson from an almost impossible angle. It was
a blow for West Ham but an even bigger one was the injury that forced
Freddie Ljungberg off on 37 minutes, as the visitors did not come forward
with the same conviction once the Swede departed his old stamping ground.
However, Arsenal were hardly creating much by then. Apart from a
half-hearted Eduardo header and a deflected Mathieu Flamini effort, there
was little to trouble Green. The spark had gone out of this match long
before Dean Ashton was belatedly brought off the bench for the injury-hit
visitors. Ashton could do little to change the outcome and George
McCartney's fizzing shot wide of Manuel Almunia's post was the Hammers' only
effort of merit after the break. At the other end, Adebayor lobbed wide and
Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky both brought good saves from Green but
Arsenal seemed keener to out-pass West Ham than add to their goal tally.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will be happy enough with the outcome though,
and, after seeing his side collect 10 points from four games over Christmas,
he will be content that their title challenge is on track at the start of
2008.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "We did the job early on and after that we
controlled the game. West Ham created some dangerous situations from
set-pieces in the first-half but we stayed in control. "They had given a lot
when they beat Manchester United on Saturday but they still defended well.
They never gave anything away but we commanded things."
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley: We conceded a goal we are not used to
conceding in the first two minutes. Eduardo had time to bring it down and
pick his spot. "Their second goal was a disastrous one for us as well. "We
created a couple of chances but poor defending meant we were on the back
foot. You can't concede goals like that here and get away with it."
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Arsenal's Eduardo 8.26 (on 90
minutes).
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Gunners cruise past Hammers - SSN
Early brace enough against West Ham
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 1st January 2008
Early goals from Eduardo da Silva and Emmanuel Adebayor helped Arsenal
cruise past West Ham to stay two points clear at the top of the Premier
League.
The Hammers stunned champions Manchester United on Saturday but never looked
likely to follow up that result with victory at Emirates Stadium. Eduardo
was left free in the box after just two minutes and had the time to control
Cesc Fabregas' precise cross on his chest before volleying past an exposed
and furious Robert Green. And Adebayor made it 2-0 on 18 minutes when he
raced onto Gael Clichy's long ball out of defence with the visiting defence
again caught napping before rounding Green and somehow finding the back of
the net via the far post from what looked to be an impossible angle. West
Ham, the only team to win at Emirates Stadium in the league after last
season's triumph in their great escape from relegation, suffered yet another
injury blow with former Gunner Freddie Ljungberg limping out of the action
in the first half. When they game kicked-off, Arsenal wasted little time
before they raced into the lead.
Cesc Fabregas was fed the ball on the left, where the Spaniard held up
possession before chipping over a lofted pass into the penalty area. The
ball landed perfectly for Eduardo, who collected it on his chest before
volleying a low shot into the far corner for a 10th goal of a
quickly-improving season, with five in the past three games. West Ham
striker Carlton Cole caused some concern in the Arsenal box before Mark
Noble saw an effort blocked by Toure and then stabbed the loose ball wide.
In the 11th minute Cole got clear in the left side of the area again, this
time his goalbound shot was deflected behind. From the resulting corner,
Anton Ferdinand saw his close-range effort cleared off the line by Gael
Clichy. Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia was too busy for manager Arsene
Wenger's liking and in the 16th minute he needed to make a save at the near
post to deny former Gunner Ljungberg. However, just when it seemed the hosts
were on the back foot, they made it 2-0 in the 18th minute. Clichy sent a
long ball up field from deep inside the Arsenal half and the bounce took it
away from Ferdinand and Matthew Upson, with Adebayor galloping clear. The
big Togo striker got a touch ahead of the onrushing Green, and although the
angle was tight almost at the byline, Adebayor somehow managed to squeeze
the ball past Matt Upson and in off the far post. West Ham continued to
press and Cole's centre into the six-yard box from the right picked out John
Pantsil, who was just off target with his overhead kick. In the 37th minute,
West Ham were forced into a change when Wales Under-21 captain Jack Collison
replaced Ljungberg, who looked to have a hamstring problem. With 27 minutes
left, Eduardo was replaced by Theo Walcott and Arsenal remained in control,
if not opening up the West Ham defence in the final third. Walcott made
space for himself on the edge of the box after turning inside Lucas Neill,
but his low shot lacked power. Green was out quickly to block a close-range
effort from a sliding Tomas Rosicky as Arsenal pressed for a third, which
ultimately they failed to find.
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Curbs looking into injury woes - SSN
Ljungberg joins growing casualty list
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 1st January 2008
Alan Curbishley has admitted West Ham are looking into the reasons behind
their ever-increasing injury list. Freddie Ljungberg became the latest
player to head for the Hammers' overcrowded treatment room as he limped out
of the 2-0 defeat by Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. The Swede was replaced by
teenage reserve team player Jack Collison with Curbishley's squad stretched
to the limit and a host of players on the sidelines. And the Upton Park boss
is keen to discover if there is anything the club can change to ease their
plight. He told Sky Sports: "We can't keep complaining about it. We're
looking at the situation, why we've got so many. Are we unlucky, or is there
something else we can do about it? "The squad is stretched to the limit, but
it's showing we have got a squad. The players that have come in have done
fantastically well for us. "It's becoming a little bit acute now. We're up
to 12 or 13 senior players (out), which is a bit tough. There's not many
clubs that could have coped with that. "Anton Ferdinand came on against
United for half an hour, but then he's had to play a full game today. He's
having to play and get fit in the first team, which is very, very difficult,
but that's what's going to happen from now on."
Curbishley has the chance to add to his squad with the January transfer
window open, but admits he is still to see the side he tried to build with
the players he brought in during the summer. He added: "I sat down with the
chairman and I can't really tell him where to start. We strengthened the
squad in the summer, but I've not seen the squad really. "If we get a bit
more acute in certain areas, I may have to try and do something, but it's
very, very difficult."
The Hammers boss admitted he side paid the price for their exertions in the
victory over Manchester United, but felt their defending was sub-standard
for both of Arsenal's goals. He added: "I don't want to take anything away
from Arsenal because they are top of the league and doing fantastically
well, but the United game was a big game for us. "We had to come back from
behind and it took a lot out of us. "We made the worst possible start here
and it was a goal we're not used to conceding. It was poor, from our point
of view, as was the second. "It was an uphill battle after that, but they
dug in and I can't ask any more, they were out on their legs near the end.
"You can't have a goal like that from Eduardo. He's chested it down and had
time to pick his spot, and that's the first couple of minutes of the game
and we're really disappointed with it."
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Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United: Impossible goal - Soccernet
Premier League leaders Arsenal started 2008 as they meant to go on with a
comfortable 2-0 home victory over West Ham. The Hammers may have overturned
Manchester United at the weekend, but there was to be no repeat at the
Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners grabbing an early lead through in-form
Eduardo and never looking back. An amazing finish from the tightest of
angles by Emmanuel Adebayor doubled the home side's advantage just when the
Hammers looked to have regrouped. The game was effectively over as a
contest by the interval, with Arsenal simply going through the motions
during the second half and running down the clock with ease. Further stern
tests, of course, lie ahead - particularly later this month when key
defender Kolo Toure will be away at the African Nations Cup. However, yet
again Arsene Wenger's young Gunners have displayed more than enough
character and quality to make a sustained assault on the title over the
second half of the campaign. Before the match, there was a period of silence
in respect of Phil O'Donnell, who died suddenly during Motherwell's
Clydesdale Bank Premier League match at the weekend. When they game kicked
off, Arsenal wasted little time before they raced into the lead.
Cesc Fabregas was fed the ball on the left, where the Spaniard held up
possession before chipping over a lofted pass into the penalty area. The
ball landed perfectly for Eduardo, who collected it on his chest before
volleying a low shot into the far corner for a 10th goal of a
quickly-improving season, with five in the past three games.
West Ham - the first team to win here last season - were clearly shocked by
conceding inside two minutes. However, slowly the visitors regained their
shape.
Striker Carlton Cole caused some concern in the Arsenal box, before Mark
Noble saw an effort blocked by Toure and then stabbed the loose ball wide.
In the 11th minute Cole got clear in the left side of the area again. This
time his goalbound shot was deflected behind. From the resulting corner,
Anton Ferdinand saw his close-range effort cleared off the line by Gael
Clichy. Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia was too busy for manager Arsene
Wenger's liking and in the 16th minute he needed to make a save at the near
post to deny former Gunner Freddie Ljungberg. However, just when it seemed
the hosts were on the back foot, they made it 2-0 in the 18th minute. Clichy
sent a long ball up field from deep inside the Arsenal half and the bounce
took it away from Ferdinand and Matthew Upson, with Adebayor galloping
clear. The big Togo striker got a touch ahead of the onrushing Robert Green,
and although the angle was tight almost at the byline, Adebayor somehow
managed to squeeze the ball past Upson and in off the far post.
West Ham continued to press and Cole's centre into the six-yard box from the
right picked out John Pantsil, who was just off target with his overhead
kick. In the 37th minute West Ham were forced into a change when Wales
Under-21 captain Jack Collison replaced Ljungberg, who looked to have a
hamstring problem. Arsenal felt they had a strong penalty shout when the
ball appeared to strike Jonathan Spector on his outstretched arm following a
cross by Eboue from the right. However, referee Chris Foy was unconvinced.
After a quiet start to the second half Eduardo looked to have been held back
at the far post by Hammers captain Lucas Neill following a deep cross from
Hoyte - but again the referee remained unmoved. At the other end, defender
George McCartney tried his luck with a volley which flew just wide from the
edge of the box. With 27 minutes left, Eduardo was replaced by Theo Walcott
and Arsenal remained in control, if not opening up the West Ham defence in
the final third. Walcott made space for himself on the edge of the box after
turning inside Neill, but his low shot lacked power. Green was out quickly
to block a close-range effort from a sliding Tomas Rosicky as Arsenal
pressed for a third, which ultimately they failed to find.
Arsene Wenger praised his emerging side for being able to mix things up when
it mattered as Arsenal opened the new year with a 2-0 victory over West Ham
to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners have
enjoyed a bumper return from their festive fixtures, dropping only two
points in a draw at Portsmouth on Boxing Day. The home side were in front
after only 70 seconds at Emirates Stadium this afternoon, when in-form
Croatia striker Eduardo bagged a fifth goal in three appearances. Togo
frontman Emmanuel Adebayor latched on to a fine long ball from Gael Clichy
to net a second from an almost impossible angle, which all but ended the
game as a contest before the break against a tired West Ham side After also
seeing his men secure an impressive 4-1 victory at Everton last time out,
Wenger believes Arsenal have enough about them to deal with whatever tactics
they come up against. 'Sides who play 4-5-1 here and mark us very tight,
they push up very high. Therefore the defenders have to play on the half-way
line and with the players we have, that enables us to go behind the central
defenders,' said the Frenchman. 'That gives us naturally a different option.
We always have alternative options. 'We have worked on it, because we know
Adebayor has so much pace and power and Eduardo is shrewd as well and a
clinical finisher. It's a great option for us.' The Arsenal manager
continued: 'We had a great start and after that we controlled the game.
'West Ham were dangerous on set-pieces in the first half, but in the second
half we were in control without ever pushing to score more goals. 'We didn't
want to concede and West ham didn't really challenge us so we were quite
comfortable.'
Arsenal remain two points ahead of Manchester United, who lost at West Ham
last week. Wenger said: 'Overall this period has been absolutely great for
us - we have had four difficult games, but we have come away with three wins
and a draw, which is terrific. It's been fantastic.' The Arsenal manager
firmly believes his men are in a strong position as the title race hots up.
Wenger said: 'It is too early to go into mind games. I feel going into
January we will rely on our performances. 'Manchester United will be a tough
opponent but we have one thing, we have belief, and we have talent and we
are ready to fight. 'This team is hungry. So that is good ingredients - but
I don't count only Man United - I still feel Chelsea and Liverpool are
there.' The Arsenal manager added: 'I prefer to lead from the front,
definitely. Because you then just rely on your results. 'If you are not at
the front you have to hope the others don't perform.' 'My [New Year]
resolution is to give absolutely everything I have, every bit of energy, to
make this club successful. 'It's a pleasure to work with the team, they give
absolutely everything so I want to give everything to make this team
successful.'
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley, meanwhile, lamented his side's sloppy
defending in the early exchanges and felt it was a 'game too far' following
their heroics against Manchester United. He said: 'You cannot come here and
go 1-0 down after 90 seconds. 'It was an uphill task from then, and both
sides probably ran out of legs in the end, it was a very tired effort. 'The
Manchester United game took a lot out of us as well. 'It was probably one
game too many for us over the Christmas period.' West Ham lost former Gunner
Freddie Ljungberg to a hamstring problem late in the first half, further
adding to their injury list. Curbishley added: 'It is unprecedented the
situation we find ourselves in, but we have to regroup and get on it with
it. 'That is what is happening to us at the moment - one goes in and one
goes out. 'The biggest problem is they are getting fit during Premier League
games and it is really difficult to do that. 'We will have to see what the
next couple of weeks bring, and if it gets really acute, we will have to
start thinking about it.'
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Vinny's Arsenal Report - West Ham Online
Vinny - Tue Jan 1 2008
Arsenal 2 West Ham United 0
An injury ravaged West Ham side were beaten by two first half Arsenal goals
courtesy of Eduardo and Emmanuel Adebayor.
Arsenal took the lead within the first two minutes but we had a number of
chances to get ourselves back into the game but could not take any of them.
We completely fizzled out of the game in the second half as players looked
tired we were void of any creative spark.
This was always going to be a difficult game but further injuries to key
players and with little in reserve made this a near impossible task against
the league leaders.
The excellent victory against Manchester United came at a price as Nolberto
Solano and Scott Parker were both injured. Replacing them were John Pantsil,
who went to right midfield (Ljungberg on the left), and Anton Ferdinand.
This saw Jonathan Spector go into centre midfield along side Hayden Mullins
and Mark Noble.
Dean Ashton once again had to make do with a place on the bench alongside
youngsters Jack Collison and James Tomkins, further proving how desperate we
were to make up the numbers due to our unbelievable injury list.
We gave Arsenal far too much space in the opening moment of the game and
found ourselves 1-0 down within just two minutes when Fabregas played a pass
into the area for Eduardo in acres of space to control well and finish
brilliantly past Robert Green.
Playing against the quality Arsenal possess made this a very difficult task
before the game had even kicked off, so to give them such a soft goal in the
first two minutes made things even harder and even at that point it was hard
to see how we were going to get back into this one.
Despite fielding what I would consider our weakest starting line up of the
season, we reacted to conceding so early well and started to attack Arsenal.
A half chance fell our way when a long pass to Cole was well controlled and
the striker laid the ball off to Mark Noble whose initial shot was charged
down by an Arsenal defender and the midfielder's follow up shot was a clever
lob which he didn't manage to execute as well as he would have liked and the
ball went wide.
We went even closer moments later when Carlton Cole did well to disposess
Hoyte and hit a shot which was goal bound but a deflection off Toure took it
just wide of the goal with Arsenal keeper Almunia looking beaten.
From the resulting corner we created a chance which was as close as we would
come throughout the entire game when a Mark Noble corner was met by a volley
from Anton Ferdinand but the shot deflected off two Arsenal players and
somehow was cleared off the line by Clichy.
Freddie Ljungberg then had our next chance when the ball broke in the area
and he turned and hit a left foot shot which was tipped around the post by
Almunia.
I could not be disappointed with how we had reacted as we had gone at the
league leaders and created some good chances which on another day would have
gone in.
But to have done well up till then made Arsenal's second goal even more
gutting.
A long ball forward from Clichy found Adebayor who head past the advancing
Robert Green and somehow managed to score from the tightest of angles.
The feeling among most of the West Ham fans at this point was it was game
over and had to make do with taking the p*ss out of the Arsenal supporters
who seemed to still be observing the period of silence for Motherwell
Captain Phil O'Donnell.
John Pantsil went close with an overhead kick from an excellent Carlton Cole
cross. Pantsil connected with the ball well but it went just wide.
The Ghanaian international was getting a lot of love from the West Ham crowd
who were adopting his name to just about every song. "He comes from Africa,
He's better than Kaka".
Another injury struck when Freddie Ljungberg limped off after a heavy
challenge and he was replaced by 19 year old Wales under 21 international
Jack Collison who was making his West Ham debut.
I couldn't' help but question this substitution simply because we were
losing the game 2-0 and this was the 37th minute. Surely we may as well have
brought on Dean Ashton and gone to a 4-4-2 instead of bringing on an untried
19 year old who would be up against one of the best midfielders in the
country in Cesc Fabregas.
It was going to take an unbelievable effort in the second half to get back
into this game and I did think to get back into the game we would have to
take a few risks and remove one of the two defensive midfielders in Spector
or Mullins.
The second half was very flat and Arsenal completely controlled the game and
we had no answer to their excellent possession football. The only strange
thing being the lack of ambition from the hosts as they were happy to play
all their football outside our area.
A half chance fell Eduardo's way when a cross to the back post was met by
the Croat despite appeals of a tug of his shirt by Lucas Neill.
I don't know about anyone else, but I was bored silly by the second half and
couldn't wait for it to end as it was plainly obviously by about the hour
mark that we were never going to create any chances as we simply didn't have
the players to do so and although Pantsil and Cole were working their socks
off, the rest of the midfield had become passengers with Spector, Mullins
and Collison all lost.
A decent effort from McCartney and a snap shot from Cole were as close as we
were to come. Alan Curbishley decided to make a substitution which I had
been waiting for which was to introduce Dean Ashton as Carlton Cole had been
working hard but had been left isolated, but in typical Curbishley fashion,
instead of taking off a midfielder he took off Cole and went like for like
with Ashton himself playing up front on his own.
What made this decision even stranger was when only moments later he took
off Hayden Mullins and replaced him with Henri Camera and then went to two
up front. I don't understand why he didn't want to play Ashton and Cole up
front as we were obviously searching for a goal to get us back into the
game.
With Arsenal in firm control of the game the minutes ticked away and we came
away from the Emirates stadium with our pride still in tact but with a first
defeat of 2008.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Nothing he could do about the first goal but I would need to see the second
again to work out if he made a rash decision to come out for the ball. My
first instinct was that he went for a ball he was never going to make but at
the same time, Adebayor would have surely controlled the ball and finished.
Apart from picking the ball out his net, he never had a serious amount of
shot stopping to do as Arsenal were happy to play with the ball in midfield
areas.
Lucas Neill
An up and down performance from the captain who at times would show some
nice composure on the ball and made some nice passes, when other times he
seemed to be looking to foul someone by having his arms all over them. Got
done for pace on a few occasions but this wasn't a terrible performance.
Matthew Upson
Back at his old club with a point to prove, he did his job well and put in a
solid defensive display. Arsenal found it hard to break down the wall that
was infront of them and Upson was at the forefront making sure they did not
increase their lead.
Anton Ferdinand
Looked very shaky early on and took quite a while to get into the game but
when he settled down he looked more comfortable on the ball and was doing
the simple things which is what he needs to continue to work on. Was very
unlucky not to have scored in the first half and I can only hope he can
continue to be a danger from set pieces like he has been in the last two
games.
George McCartney
Seemed to have a little argument with Ljungberg at one point and I'm not
surprised as the Swede once again gave him far too much work to do. He is
whole hearted and fearless and although lacking in technical ability at
times his showing was satisfactory.
Freddie Ljungberg
I didn't really seem to grasp where he was playing in his time on the pitch
and but for a decent attempt on goal, his 37 minutes was again fruitless and
went missing too many times. Another injury has come his way – not really a
surprise though is it.
Hayden Mullins
The midfield battle was well and truly won by Arsenal and although Mullins
did well in the first half (as he has been doing recently) he like the rest
of the side faded in the second and Mullins was eventually taken off in
favour of a more attacking option of Camara.
Jonathan Spector
He really must have pictures of Curbishley doing some bad as he again
managed to stay on the pitch for the full 90 minutes despite offering
nothing at all to the side. But with the injuries we have there was simply
no other options and the fact that Spector is getting a regular run in the
side is proof that our injury problems are getting worse and not better.
Mark Noble
Buzzed about well in the first half and was our only creative threat. But
Arsenal snuffed him out easily in the second half and with that went our
chance of creating any chances. I believe he is going to have big part to
play in the next few weeks.
John Pantsil
Starting to surprise me as he doesn't actually look that bad! Having gone
from a player who didn't really have a position and one who couldn't pass
water, he is looking a little easier to work out. Not afraid to take on his
man (which Ljungberg cannot do), and is full of effort. Never a right back,
but as a winger I think he has now made himself an option.
Carlton Cole
There wasn't many great individual performances but of them all Carlton Cole
stood out above the rest. He doesn't only work hard but he is getting better
at holding the ball up and caused the Arsenal defenders a few problems.
Needed more support as when he did hold the ball up there was no one to lay
it off too. Continues his impressive season – all we need is a few more
goals to match these good performances.
Subs Used
Jack Collison (on for Ljungberg 37 mins)
Can't really judge him on this performance as it was his debut and up
against some class players. His build could well be an asset in coming to
terms with the physical side of the game and with our injuries we may see
more of him in coming weeks.
Dean Ashton (on for Cole 71 mins)
Never got into the game at all, and still looked sluggish and slow.
Henri Camera (on for Mullins 76 mins)
As usual, did nothing.
Overall
Our injury problems are not getting better and seem to be getting a whole
lot worse as each game goes on. I still cannot believe some of these "short
term injuries" have gone on for so long – Where on earth is Luis Boa Morte,
Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer? Why have these injuries become long term
and why are we not being told of their progress?
Today we were easily controlled by a good quality Arsenal side who had won
the game when the second goal went in. We had our chances and failed to take
them and ran totally out of steam in the second period.
This is not the type of game that we judge our season on as we expect to get
beat in game like this, and to have 29 points going into the second half of
the season is good enough, and if we ever do get these players back from
injury (I'm beginning to think they were taken to a vet and put down) then
we may have a good run in which will get us into a decent league position.
Next up is Manchester City in the FA Cup at Upton Park in a tie which
neither side will be relishing. This is our chance to get revenge on City
for beating us on the opening day of the season, but without getting some
players back from injury that will be a very hard task.
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Arsenal's new year starts with West Ham stroll - Telegraph
By John Ley
Last Updated: 6:31am GMT 02/01/2008
Arsenal (2) 2 West Ham United (0) 0
If Alan Curbishley was not on Arsene Wenger's Christmas Card list he should
have been. Having beaten the odds to beat Manchester United - and given
everything for the cause - they arrived without 12 first-team players and
finished running on empty, allowing a jaded Arsenal to enjoy an easy win,
secured in the opening 18 minutes.
Wonderful goals from Eduardo and Emmanuel Adebayor set Arsenal up for what
could have been an embarrassment. A year ago to the day West Ham lost 6-0 at
Reading, when Curbishley criticised his 'Baby Bentleys'; this time they
survived a drubbing and there was little justification for acute criticisms
given the number of players unavailable.
In fact, West Ham had chances in the first half to respond, but poor
finishing cost them dear and Arsenal survived to maintain their two-point
advantage over Manchester United. Indeed, for Wenger, it has been a very
happy festive period.
"West Ham didn't really come at us in the second half and didn't really
challenge us," Wenger said. "So we were really quite comfortable in the
second half and, overall, this Christmas period has been great for us. We
had five games, if you include Chelsea, and got four wins and one draw, so
it has been a fantastic period against difficult teams."
Then, having started with the words "2008 must be great", Wenger vowed to
keep faith with a New Year's resolution. "It is to give absolutely
everything I have, every bit of energy, to make this club successful. It's a
pleasure to work with the team, they give everything so I want to give
everything to make this team successful."
Wenger will shortly lose three players to the African Cup of Nations.
Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure will face Burnley in the FA Cup next Sunday
then report for duty. Wenger also revealed that reserve defender Alex Song
received a late call from Cameroon to attend the finals in Ghana.
Nevertheless, Arsenal's strength in depth remains, particularly as they do
not have the injury-list facing Curbishley. West Ham are the only team to
win at the Emirates Stadium - their 1-0 win here in April went some way to
keeping them in the Premier League - but yesterday they were robbed of a
team of players, and those left looked drawn and tired.
Adebayor had already had one attempt within the first minute when, with just
71 seconds played, Eduardo again displayed the finishing abilities which are
quickly turning him into a feared marksman.
A marvellous pass from Cesc Fabregas found Eduardo, who chested and shot
beyond Robert Green in one fine move. There was little that Green could do
to prevent the Brazilian-born Croatian from claiming his 10th goal in 13
starts and five in his last three.
West Ham tried to respond. With defenders John Pantsil and Jonathan Spector
forced into midfield - and doing a decent job - they hinted at a response;
Gael Clichy cleared off the line from Anton Ferdinand while there were
further attempts from Mark Noble, Carlton Cole, Matthew Upson and Spector.
But in the 18th minute something not associated with Arsenal occurred; they
scored with a long-ball goal and it was remarkable both in its making and
finish. Clichy's pass from the halfway line exposed the failings of West
Ham's five-man midfield, allowing Adebayor to nod the ball past Green.
It seemed to have run too far but, somehow, Adebayor rolled the ball from
the byline out and back over the goal-line. Adebayor's 12th goal of the
season was audacity personified. "I still don't understand how it went in,"
was Wenger's honest response.
West Ham lost another player before the interval when former Arsenal
favourite Freddie Ljungberg, doubtful ahead of his return, limped off with a
hamstring injury to give Jack Collison, the 19-year-old captain of the Wales
Under-21 side, a daunting debut.
The second half was tame by comparison, with the heavy programme clearly
taking its toll. Curbishley agreed. "The Manchester United game took a lot
out of us as well but we have to regroup," he said. "It is unprecedented the
situation we find ourselves in, but we have to get on with it. It was
probably one game too many over the Christmas period."
Man of the match
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal) 9
• Scored one
• Created three other chances
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It's another step closer for Arsene Wenger's top Gunners - Daily Mail
Arsenal 2 (Eduardo 2, Adebayor 18) West Ham 0
By NEIL ASHTON - More by this author »
Last updated at 22:17pm on 1st January 2008
THEY saw out the old year with a 4-1 destruction of Everton last weekend and
saw in the new with a comfortable victory over West Ham. Some wobble that
turned out to be. Arsenal have been top of the Barclays Premier League at
every significant stage of the season and they moved a step closer to the
ultimate goal with unnerving ease yesterday. Tottenham away? Top of the
table. Manchester United at home? Still top. Christmas Day? Top. New Year?
Top again. May? Perhaps it is a shade too soon to say. Arsene Wenger's side
were in front when Eduardo scored after just 70 seconds, they added another
through Emmanuel Adebayor in the 18th minute and then took their foot off
the gas. What a shame. This could easily have mirrored West Ham's 6-0 defeat
at Reading last New Year's Day, but Arsenal are saving their energy for the
big push. The Premier League are just five months away from tying red and
white ribbons to a trophy last seen in London N5 in 2004, but surely now the
countdown can begin. Manchester United will stretch them all the way, but
Wenger's team are still in front at the halfway stage of this titanic
season. Wenger said: 'I prefer to lead from the front. We have the
ingredients to win the title, but it is too soon for mind games. 'Manchester
United will be tough opponents but we have belief, we have talent and we are
ready to fight. This team are hungry.' With games against Birmingham,
Fulham, Newcastle, Wigan and Middlesbrough over the next two months, they
can expect to stay at the summit for the foreseeable future. Alan
Curbishley's side were spent. Their magnificent victory over United last
weekend seemed a lifetime ago as they were given a thorough workout.
Curbishley was not the only one wearing a hangdog expression as Arsenal went
two up.
Eduardo's goal, his fifth in three games, was a gem. In terms of their
influence on their teams, it is almost impossible to separate Cesc Fabregas
and Cristiano Ronaldo. Fabregas, full of running and with skills suited to a
higher plane, has the movement of a figure skater. Ronaldo, all sidesteps
and showboating, has the accuracy of a skeet-shooter and 17 goals to show
for the season. Arsenal's drooling supporters will naturally side with
Fabregas, and he made another telling impact when he escaped West Ham's
fiveman midfield trap. He collected the ball out on the left and West Ham's
defence were too slow to react when his lob landed on Eduardo's chest inside
the penalty area. Anton Ferdinand was out of position, Matthew Upson did not
close down the Arsenal striker and Eduardo chested the ball on to his left
foot before burying his effort beyond goalkeeper Robert Green. Curbishley
said: 'It was a great finish, but you cannot have a centre forward bringing
the ball down on his chest in the penalty area.'
A gift of a goal, but there were more presents on the way. Gael Clichy,
replicating the surging runs of United left back Patrice Evra, clipped a
weighted pass beyond West Ham's defence in the 18th minute and Adebayor
deserves credit for clipping the ball home. Wenger said: 'I still don't
understand how it went in. Clichy's pass was fantastic but we work on that
with Adebayor because he has so much pace and power. 'He gives us a
different option and he's shrewd because he can get in behind central
defenders.' He did just that. Green, doing everything he can to slip down
the greasy pole of goalkeepers already under the gaze of new England manager
Fabio Capello, raced towards the edge of the penalty area to claim Clichy's
pass, Adebayor clipped the ball beyond him and then scored from an acute
angle to take this game well beyond West Ham's reach. Visiting manager
Curbishley said: 'The manner of the second goal was really disappointing as
well. You cannot go to Arsenal and be 1-0 down after 70 seconds. It was an
uphill task from then. 'The Manchester United game probably took a lot out
of us and this was probably one game too many for us over Christmas.'
Wenger did not see it that way. After their draw against Portsmouth on
Boxing Day, Arsenal have responded with the right results. With 60,000
supporters inside the Emirates Stadium demanding more, Arsenal still had
something left in the tank. Fabregas pulled the strings in midfield, but
there was more than a whiff of nostalgia in the air for the return of one of
their favourite sons. Freddie Ljungberg, now a Hammer, spent the first half
feuding with his own left back, George McCartney, but he was back in the
familiar surroundings of Arsenal's treatment room for a scan on his
hamstring after a predictable and inevitable substitution. He was replaced
by 19-year-old Jack Collison, a product of West Ham's youth team, after just
37 minutes but the warm applause around the stadium was surpassed only when
referee Chris Foy blew the final whistle. That prompted another group hug in
the centre of the pitch by Arsenal's players, but the real celebrations are
on hold … for now.
Arsenal: Almunia, Justin Hoyte, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas,
Flamini, Rosicky, Eduardo, Adebayor. Subs: Lehmann, Diaby, Hleb, Song
Billong, Walcott.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Pantsil, Mullins,
Spector, Noble, Ljungberg, Cole. Subs: Wright, Ashton, Tomkins, Camara,
Collison.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)
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Arsenal 2 West Ham United 0: Arsenal's resolution is too quick for Hammers -
The Independent
By Sam Wallace
Published: 02 January 2008
Like the New Year's guests who turn up two minutes after midnight, this
party was over for West Ham before it had even begun. With just 70 seconds
gone, a goal for Eduardo da Silva left Matthew Upson and Anton Ferdinand
like the latecomers on the doorstep proffering apologies and a bottle of
warm Cava.
Blink and it is over at Arsenal. The Premier League leaders took 70 seconds
to embarrass West Ham's blundering centre-halves and just another 17 minutes
to finish them off with a goal from Emmanuel Adebayor. In four games over
Christmas, Arsène Wenger's side have dropped just two points, away at
Portsmouth on Boxing Day. Manchester United and Chelsea will have to hope
that their blip this season turns out to be rather more serious than that.
This was a clinical dispatching of the West Ham team who beat Manchester
United on Saturday and, in defence in particular, looked much the worse for
it yesterday. "This Christmas period has been absolutely great for us,"
Wenger said. "I definitely prefer to lead from the front because all you
have to do is rely on your own results. When you are behind you can say that
you don't look at the others' results but you have to hope they don't
perform."
It was, Wenger said, "too early to go into mind games", but just how soon
they begin with Sir Alex Ferguson surely depends on how long it takes for
this young Arsenal team to crack – if, indeed, they ever do. The manager
trotted out all the usual talk about "hunger" and being "ready to fight" but
the most profound evidence of their durability was once again on the pitch.
Adebayor's goal was made by a long ball against a West Ham team that
bizarrely clung to their 4-5-1 formation until the 77th minute when Alan
Curbishley relented and sent on Henri Camara as a second striker. It seems
that if the opposition sit back against Arsenal, they risk having the ball
passed around them. If they press on, as West Ham did yesterday, the long
ball over the top is a constant danger.
For his part, Curbishley seemed relieved to get away with a two-goal defeat
and blamed his injuries – 12 currently out, he claimed – with Freddie
Ljungberg departing after 37 minutes with a strained hamstring. For £85,000
a week in wages, the former Arsenal man's key contribution yesterday
appeared to be milking the applause from the home fans when he trudged off.
He is not exactly in the running to be bargain signing of the season.
If he chose to watch this from the comfort of his sofa, Fabio Capello will
hopefully have been nudged awake in time to see Theo Walcott trot on for a
brief, inconclusive cameo. The Italian could be starting officially as
England manager on Friday and will not have thought it necessary to jot down
the names of Hayden Mullins, Carlton Cole or Upson on this evidence. Dean
Ashton played 19 minutes and still looked well off the pace.
Curbishley said that this game was "one too many over Christmas" for his
team as if it had been sprung on him like some kind of surprise party. Given
that last New Year's day the West Ham manager launched his exasperated
attack on the "Baby Bentley" culture of his players following a six-goal
thrashing from Reading, a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal must seem comparatively
gentle.
He was circumspect about his prospects for the January transfer window,
while Wenger said that he will play a first team on Sunday against Burnley
in the FA Cup, which will be the last outing for Kolo Touré, Alex Song and
Emmanuel Eboué before they leave for the African Nations Cup. Jens Lehmann
might be gone before then. The Arsenal goalkeeper has a decision to make on
an offer from Borussia Dortmund and he could give his answer as early as
today.
Robert Green's defenders did him no favours on either goal yesterday. The
first found Upson and Ferdinand hopelessly out of touch when Cesc Fabregas
crossed from the left. In between the West Ham centre-backs was Eduardo, who
took the ball on his chest, turned and hit a low shot past Green.
At that point, West Ham looked candidates to be butchered but, despite their
comical defending, they did have chances in the first half. Cole laboured
honestly up front and had a decent shot deflected wide. Gaël Clichy had to
clear off the line. The embarrassment of the first-minute goal was acute but
it did not scuttle the visitors completely.
Then, on 18 minutes, another aberration. Arsenal are never afraid to take
the direct route, especially when on this occasion they were invited to do
so by Upson and Ferdinand's lack of concentration. Clichy struck a ball over
the heads of the defence that Adebayor chased down and took round Green. He
had a job finishing it off, clipping the ball beautifully behind the
recovering Upson. As it rolled off the post and into the net, Adebayor's
momentum had already taken him behind the goal.
Upson finished the move spread-eagled in the back of his own net, which was
nicely symbolic of his team's progress up until then. It was all but over
for them from then on. An overhead kick from John Pantsil was about as good
as it got for West Ham, who played out the second half so cautiously at
times that you could have been forgiven for thinking they were defending a
lead. Two goals had been getting off lightly.
Goals: Eduardo (2) 1-0; Adebayor (18) 2-0.
Arsenal (4-4-2): Almunia; Hoyte, Touré, Gallas, Clichy; Eboué (Hleb, 77),
Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky (Diaby, 88); Eduardo (Walcott, 63), Adebayor.
Substitutes not used: Lehmann (gk), Song.
West Ham United (4-5-1): Green; Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney; Pantsil,
Spector, Noble, Mullins (Camara, 77), Ljungberg (Collison, 37); Cole
(Ashton, 71). Substitutes not used: Wright (gk), Tomkins.
Referee: C Foy (Kent).
Booked: West Ham Cole, McCartney, Noble.
Man of the match: Flamini.
Attendance: 60,102
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Adebayor adds touch of magic to Arsenal's new resolution
Kevin McCarra at Emirates Stadium
Wednesday January 2, 2008
The Guardian
A memorable season requires its sprinkling of forgettable days. If a team
are to win the Premier League there must be afternoons such as this when
there is no stress to leave the players feeling depleted as they depart the
field. Neither side were in the mood to give all that much of themselves.
Each had arrived pre-fatigued.
With the 2-0 lead in place there was virtually a truce in the second half.
"We were in control without pushing it to score more," Arsène Wenger
admitted. "We just didn't want to concede a goal." His opposite number was
frank, too, about the perfunctory tone. "It was one game too many for us
over Christmas," said Alan Curbishley. "I've not really had the opportunity
to change [the line-up]."
West Ham were still in a daze after their defeat of Manchester United and
another effort of that magnitude was barely contemplated. The visitors were
a peculiar amalgam of defensive incompetence and spasmodic adventurousness
during the spell that determined the outcome.
In the second minute Matthew Upson did not close on Eduardo da Silva as the
Croat took a Cesc Fábregas cross on his chest before swivelling to score
impeccably. This was his third Premier League goal, after the double at
Everton with which he made his breakthrough. He was otherwise circumscribed
in his contribution but the presence of a de luxe poacher will be gladdening
enough for Wenger.
The finishing with which Emmanuel Adebayor added to the lead after 18
minutes was extraordinary. He was sent clear by a pass from Gaël Clichy but
took possession almost on the byline to the left of the target. The striker
clipped the ball from that position and the spin took it into the net after
cannoning off the far post. Maybe he was hoping for the best and maybe he
believed the effort might go in off someone but whatever the interpretation
Adebayor, as a member of the guild of strikers, is obliged to insist it was
all intended.
The goal's origins had lain in a long ball, just as two of them had at
Goodison. This is far from being a re-enactment of the pragmatic George
Graham period in Arsenal's history but there is no coincidence about the
impact of these direct tactics at the moment. "Teams come here and push up
very high," explained Wenger, "and therefore their defenders have to play
nearly on the halfway line. With the players we have we can go behind the
central defenders and that gives us, naturally, a different option." The
alternative, of course, would be for visitors to drop deep but that would
allow breathing space for Fábregas and Tomas Rosicky in midfield.
It would, however, be misleading to pretend that Arsenal held all the cards.
There was a first-half period in which the match might have assumed another
character. West Ham, for instance, could have pulled level at 1-1 in the
12th minute. Carlton Cole's effort deflected off Kolo Touré for a corner,
Mark Noble took it and Anton Ferdinand's drive ricocheted from Mathieu
Flamini before Clichy blocked on the goal-line. Freddie Ljungberg, returning
to his old club, drew a save from Manuel Almunia as well. The Swede soon
succumbed to a recurrence of his hamstring problem and West Ham had to
replace him but their long injury list had the benefit here of allowing the
youngster Jack Collison to make his debut.
Wenger, resting Bacary Sagna yesterday, must be envied by Curbishley. The
Arsenal manager betrays little anxiety about the fact that Emmanuel Eboué
and Touré will have departed for the African Cup of Nations by the time the
Premier League schedule resumes. He also mused that he could give William
Gallas and Clichy the afternoon off against Burnley in the FA Cup.
With three victories and a draw over the festive period Wenger will feel in
control. He might have been a bit corny when pledging, as a new year
resolution, "to give every bit of energy I have to make this club
successful". On the other hand the pursuit of that ambition surely feels
most fulfilling these days.
Man of the match Gaël Clichy (Arsenal)
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Curbs blames crooks ( I guess that should be crocks , but you never know
with Mr Holt :) - PeterR )
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
By Oliver Holt 02/01/2008
Alan Curbishley last night blamed West Ham's lacklustre defeat to Arsenal on
the club's 'unprecedented' injury situation. The Hammers slipped to a lame
defeat at The Emirates just three days after stunning Manchester United by
beating them at Upton Park. Their players vowed to use that shock victory as
a springboard for a push for a European place but they never looked like
getting any sort of result yesterday. And to emphasise Curbishley's point,
ex-Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg was forced to limp off with a hamstring
injury eight minutes before half time on his first return to his old club.
"We are in a much healthier position than we were this time last New Year's
Day," Curbishley said, "and we have to take some satisfaction from that.
"But we are still so frustrated at the situation we find ourselves in and
the fact that we are having to deal with an unprecedented series of
injuries. "Nolberto Solano and Scott Parker were probably our most
influential players against United and we were without both of them today.
We can't really get any consistency going and we are having to get players
fit by playing them in the first team which is no good. "As soon as we get
one back, we seem to lose someone else. We just have to regroup and get on
with it."
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West Ham can't Curb injury concerns
tribalfootball.com - January 01, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley admits he has big concerns over his
growing injury list. West Ham lost former Gunner Freddie Ljungberg to a
hamstring problem late in the first half of yesterday's defeat to Arsenal,
further adding to their injury list. Curbishley said: "It is unprecedented
the situation we find ourselves in, but we have to regroup and get on it
with it. "That is what is happening to us at the moment - one goes in and
one goes out. "The biggest problem is they are getting fit during Premier
League games and it is really difficult to do that. "We will have to see
what the next couple of weeks bring, and if it gets really acute, we will
have to start thinking about it."
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West Ham's Noble delighted for Collison after Arsenal performance
tribalfootball.com - January 01, 2008
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble was delighted for fellow academy graduates
Jack Collison and James Tomkins after they were involved in yesterday's 2-0
defeat by Arsenal. Reserve-team captain Collison, at 19, is five months
older than the 18-year-old Tomkins and the midfielder went one better than
the England youth international defender by being called into action. "I was
really hoping they would get a chance today," he told whufc.com. "Jack got a
lot of the game because of Freddie's injury and I am a bit gutted Tomks
never come on but he will get his chance soon." Noble will not be the only
one happy - Academy director Tony Carr can now point to five players
involved in the first team, with Anton Ferdinand and Kyel Reid the other two
to have gone right through the ranks.
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Everton to beat West Ham for Plymouth's Gosling
tribalfootball.com - January 01, 2008
Everton are moving for Plymouth Argyle fullback Dan Gosling. Boss David
Moyes has beaten off West Ham in the chase for the talented teenager who
played for his country in this season's FIFA World Youth Cup in South Korea.
Moyes sees Gosling as first-team material immediately. West Ham want him
too, but they are not prepared to match Argyle's £1.5 million demands, says
the Daily Mail.
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Hammers gunned down by Arsenal
By Guardian-series
Comment
Arsenal 2
West Ham 0
(Barclays Premier League)
WEST Ham boss Alan Curbishley admitted his side looked tired as they slumped
to a New Year's Day derby defeat at Arsenal. The Hammers were on the back
foot from the first minute when Eduardo da Silva found time and space in the
box to ram home. And, when Emmanuel Adebayor made it 2-0 from the tightest
of angles shortly after, the result was never in doubt. To be fair to the
Irons, they did make a good fist of it in the first half - Mark Noble and
Carlton Cole both went close with shots, while Anton Ferdinand saw his
header cleared off the line by Gael Clichy. But it was a damage limitation
after the break as the hectic festive period seemed to catch up with the
Hammers' depleted squad. Curbishely - who has 14 first teamers out injured -
said: "I said to the players at half time that we've worked ever so hard and
needed to go out in second half and dig in - and that is what they've done
so I'm pleased about that. "But in the end it was one game too many over the
Christmas period for us. We looked laboured. "And you can't come to Arsenal
and concede like we did. It was poor defending that put us on the back
foot."
West Ham: Green, Neill, McCartney, Upson, Ferdinand, Ljungberg (Collison),
Noble, Mullins (Camara), Spector, Panstsil, Cole (Ashton). Unused subs:
Tomkins, Wright.
5:46pm Tuesday 1st January 2008
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**************** AN PREDICTABLY , SOME HACK HAS PICKED UP ON THE KUMB RUMOUR
& EMBELLISHED IT :) *******************
ON WAY OUT - The Daily Star
2nd January 2008 By Duncan Wright Your Shout
DEAN ASHTON could be on his way out of West Ham after being frozen out by
boss Alan Curbishley. Ashton is set for showdown talks with the club today
after being dropped for recent matches against Manchester United, Arsenal
and Chelsea. And though Upton Park officials value the striker highly,
privately they are unsure if Curbishley feels the same. Despite promising to
open contract talks before Christmas, no offer was made - and now Ashton is
unsure whether he plays a major role in Curbishley's thoughts. A planned
meeting last month was cancelled at the last minute, and now the £10m-rated
striker fears he is being frozen out by Curbishley. The manager was without
13 players for yesterday's match at Arsenal but the highly-rated forward was
still unable to get into the starting line-up. Ashton is desperate to
impress new England boss Fabio Capello but he has been unable to do so in
the big matches because he is being left on the bench. The striker insists
he is fully fit but Curbishley continues to give the excuse that he doesn't
want to overload Ashton with matches to protect him.
But having spent a year on the sidelines recovering from a broken ankle, the
prospect of spending more time not playing even though he is fit is
frustrating the 24-year-old. He has scored five goals in eight starts this
season and is widely regarded as one of England's brightest attacking
talents - yet Curbishley continues to favour Carlton Cole in a lone striking
role. The boss admitted last night: "We wanted to go 4-5-1, and Carlton Cole
is more suited to that. We have managed to get Dean through the first half
of the season, and we have got to be careful with him. "He understands that.
There is another game in four days' time, which comes up very quickly. I
have just been making sure we get him through it. "
Ashton had hoped to renegotiate a new deal with the Hammers, but today's
talks will now centre on whether he has a future in the East End. And
sources within the club fear the problem has reached the stage where a
mega-money offer could still be knocked back because Ashton just wants to
play regular football for a manager he believes has faith in him. The
situation is sure to grab the attention of a host of Premier League clubs
who are in the market for a top quality forward during the January transfer
window. Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle and possibly Tottenham are all
on the look-out for a forward who can lead the line and find the net - and
Ashton fits the bill exactly.
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