WHUFC.com
All the early team news and background for Saturday evening's big London
derby at the Boleyn
15.01.2011
WEST HAM UNITED v ARSENAL
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 15 JANUARY 2011
KICK-OFF: 5.30PM
• West Ham United welcome Arsenal looking to keep up a fine run of one
defeat in seven matches - with four wins and two draws in that sequence. The
Hammers have won their last three Boleyn Ground fixtures and, although in
last place, sit just two points from 14th spot.
• Arsenal are third in the standings, just four points from top spot and
going well in the UEFA Champions League. They also have a last-16 meeting
with Barcelona to look forward to on 16 February-8 March. However, the
Gunners have won just one of their last five matches.
• This will be the second meeting of the clubs this season after the 1-0
defeat at the Emirates on 30 October. Avram Grant's men held out until the
89th-minute goal by Alex Song.
• Tickets are pay on the day. Click here for more information.
• Wayne Bridge could make his debut for the club after his loan move from
Manchester City on Wednesday. Bridge will stay at the Boleyn Ground until
the end of the season.
• Robert Green is in line for his 200th Barclays Premier League appearance.
Theo Walcott is a match away from his 100th.
• Arsenal have scored more goals (20) away from home than anyone else in the
top-flight this season.
• The last Boleyn Ground encounter saw West Ham United lose 2-1 in the FA
Cup third round on 3 January 2010. Alessandro Diamanti opened the scoring
just before half-time, only for the Gunners to come back and win through
Aaron Ramsey (78) and Eduardo (83)
West Ham: Green, Upson, Tomkins, Daprela, Kovac, Behrami, Jimenez, Faubert,
Stanislas (Edgar 87) , Diamanti, Nouble (Sears 79)
Subs not used: Stech, Da Costa, Payne, N'Gala, Lee
Arsenal: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Silvestre, Sagna, Gallas, Song, Merida (Nasri
65), Ramsey, Wilshere (Diaby 65), Vela, Eduardo
Subs not used: Mannone, Traore, Gilbert, Emmanuel-Thomas, Eastmond
• The Hammers have a decent record in London derbies this season - beating
Tottenham 1-0 at the Boleyn and drawing 1-1 at home with Fulham before a 3-1
away win on Boxing Day.
• Julien Faubert and Marouane Chamakh are former team-mates from Girondins
de Bordeaux in France.
• Jack Wilshere is a boyhood West Ham fan before he joined Arsenal aged
nine, while Mark Noble spent two years with the Gunners before signing up
for the West Ham academy.
• West Ham will be seeking to end a eight-match winless run against the
Gunners stretching back to 7 April 2007, when Bobby Zamora's goal secured a
1-0 victory in north London. The Hammers did the double over Arsenal in
2006/07, with Marlon Harewood bagging the winner in the reverse Premier
League fixture at the Boleyn Ground on 5 November 2006.
• The two sides met three times last season. A 2-2 Premier League draw at
the Boleyn Ground was followed by that 2-1 FA Cup third-round win for
Arsenal at the same venue. The Gunners also won 2-0 at the Emirates in the
reverse Premier League fixture in March.
• The clubs could potentially meet in the Carling Cup final on Sunday 27
February, should they overcome Birmingham and Ipswich respectively in the
semi-finals. The Hammers are 2-1 up before their away leg while the Gunners
need to overturn a 1-0 deficit at home.
Team news
• Manager Avram Grant is definitely without Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh),
Jack Collison (knee) and Manuel da Costa (ankle). None are expected to
return before February at the earliest. Goalkeeper Peter Kurucz (knee) is
not expected to play at all this season.
• Junior Stanislas is out for a month, having just had surgery on an
abdominal hernia. Kieron Dyer (thigh) and Herita Ilunga (hamstring) are
closer to a return after being in light training.
• Hitzlsperger and Da Costa - injured by a Cesc Fabregas tackle in the dying
stages of the previous meeting in October - stepped up their rehab with
outside work this week. Collison is also making good progress.
• Lars Jacobsen, Danny Gabbidon and Benni McCarthy have all trained normally
this week.
• Victor Obinna is suspended after his red card in midweek against
Birmingham City. He will also miss the trip to Everton next Saturday and the
return match with Birmingham on Wednesday 26 January.
• Arsenal could continue with Wojciech Szczesny in place of the
shoulder-injury victim Lukasz Fabianski. Manuel Almunia remains sidelined
with an ankle problem.
• Denilson is a doubt with a thigh while Abou Diaby (calf) is definitely
out.
• Central defence continues to pose problems with Thomas Vermaelen
(achilles) and Sebastien Squillaci (hamstring) still absent, along with
full-back Bacary Sagna (suspended). However, the Gunners could recall Robin
van Persie and Samir Nasri to aid the attack
Referee
• Saturday's referee is Andre Marriner.
• He also officiated the Hammers' 3-1 home Barclays Premier League defeat by
Bolton Wanderers on 21 August and the 1-1 draw with Fulham on 2 October.
• Birmingham-born Marriner began refereeing in 1992, progressing through the
Birmingham Amateur Football League and the Southern League to become a
Football League assistant referee in 2000.
• Marriner, who turned 40 on New Years' Day, was appointed to the Football
League List of referees in 2003.
• Marriner was appointed to the Select Group in 2005. Since then, one of the
most notable matches he has refereed are the 2008 FA Community Shield
between Portsmouth and Manchester United at Wembley.
• The West Midlands-based official was added to FIFA's International List in
2009, but insists the biggest fixture he has ever refereed was the 2003
Conference National play-off final between Doncaster Rovers and Dagenham &
Redbridge.
Last time out
Carling Cup semi-final first leg
Tuesday 11 January 2011
West Ham United 2-1 Birmingham City
West Ham: Green, Upson, Spector, Faubert, Reid, Tomkins, Parker, Noble
(Kovac 89), Sears (Hines 74), Piquionne (Cole 73), Obinna (sent off 59)
Subs not used: Boffin, Spence, Boa Morte, Nouble
Goals: Noble 13, Cole 78
Carling Cup semi-final first leg
Wednesday 12 January 2011
Ipswich Town 1-0 Arsenal
Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Eboue, Gibbs, Koscielny, Arshavin (Vela 80),
Fabregas, Walcott, Denilson, Wilshere (Chamakh 68), Bendtner (Song 68)
Subs not used: Shea, Ramsey, Eastmond, Miquel
Head to head
Last six meetings (Premier League unless stated)
30 October 2010 Arsenal 1-0 West Ham United
20 March 2010 Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
3 January 2010 West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal (FA Cup third round)
25 October 2009 West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal
31 January 2009 Arsenal 0-0 West Ham United
26 October 2008 West Ham United 0-2 Arsenal
Overall record v Arsenal (all competitions) W 33 D 38 L 53
Ten-year league records
West Ham United
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)
2000/01 Premier League 15th (42 points)
Arsenal
2009/10 Premier League 3rd (75 points)
2008/09 Premier League 4th (72 points)
2007/08 Premier League 3rd (83 points)
2006/07 Premier League 4th (68 points)
2005/06 Premier League 4th (67 points)
2004/05 Premier League 2nd (83 points)
2003/04 Premier League 1st (90 points)
2002/03 Premier League 2nd (78 points)
2001/02 Premier League 1st (87 points)
2000/01 Premier League 2nd (70 points)
Old boys
• Matthew Upson joined Arsenal from Luton Town for £2m in May 1997 at the
age of 18. Upson made a total of 56 appearances for the Gunners over
five-and-a-half seasons before moving to Birmingham City for £1m in January
2003
• Luis Boa Morte was brought to English football from Sporting Clube de
Portugal in 1997 in a £1.75m deal, making 25 appearances for Arsenal before
leaving for Southampton for an initial fee of £500,000 in August 1999.
• Among the players who have represented both clubs are Jeremie Aliadiere,
James Bigden, Jimmy Bloomfield, Liam Brady, Dick Curtis, George Burgess,
Kaba Diawara, Ted Drake, Stan Earle, Bert Fletcher, Ron Greenwood, Eddie
Hapgood, John Hartson, Les Henley, Fergie Hunt, James Jackson, Bernard Joy,
Fred Kemp, Tom Lee, Harry Lewis, William Linwood, Fredrik Ljungberg, Roddy
MacEachrane, Jimmy Marshall, David Noble, John Radford, Stewart Robson,
Charles Satterthwaite, Laurie Scott, Rami Shaaban, Bill Sidley, Bob
Stevenson, Davor Suker, Charlie Walker, Nigel Winterburn, Ian Wright and
Richard Wright.
General information
For ticket information, click here. For details on getting to the Boleyn
Ground, click here.
Weather
The forecast is for an overcast evening with temperatures around the 10C
mark.
Travel information
West Ham United supporters attending the Barclays Premier League visit of
Arsenal on Saturday 15 January should take note of the following important
travel information.
District line
·Saturday 15 January, no service between Tower Hill and Upminster. From 1500
until 2130, this will be reduced to no service between Tower Hill and Upney
eastbound and between Barking and Tower Hill westbound. Replacement buses
operate.
Service A: Tower Hill - Aldgate East - Whitechapel - Stepney Green - Mile
End - Bow Road - Bromley-by-Bow - Canning Town
Service B: Mile End - Stratford - Upton Park - East Ham - Barking - Upney
(eastbound buses only between 1500 and 2100)
Service C: Barking - Upney - Becontree - Dagenham Heathway - Dagenham East
(there will be no service C available between 1500 and 2100)
Service D: Barking - Dagenham East - Elm Park - Hornchurch - Upminster
Bridge - Upminster Bridge (there will be no service D available between 1500
and 2100)
Hammersmith and City line
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 January, no service between Liverpool Street and
Barking. Trains will operate between Hammersmith and Aldgate.
Central line
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 January, no service between Holborn and White
City.
Metropolitan line
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 January, no service between Moorgate and Aldgate
Overground
Due to planned engineering work, the c2c line will be closed between
Fenchurch Street and Barking. All trains will divert to Liverpool Street.
Train services will be unable to call at West Ham, Limehouse or Fenchurch
Street. Trains diverting to Liverpool Street will additionally call at
Stratford.
National Express East Anglia services will run to a normal Saturday
timetable.
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Hammers line-up O'Neill
Grant set for axe
Last updated: 15th January 2011
SSN
West Ham United are ready to sack Avram Grant and replace him with Martin
O'Neill this weekend, sources have told Sky Sports. Grant's position has
been under scrutiny for weeks following West Ham's poor start to the season.
However, he looked to have seen of the threat after guiding them to just one
defeat in the last seven games. But now sources have told Sky Sports News
that Grant will be sacked after Saturday's match with Arsenal - no matter
what the result is. Skysports.com has also been told that the Hammers have
already met with former Villa chief O'Neill - who looks ready to step back
into management at Upton Park. O'Neill left Aston Villa at the start of the
season, but now looks set to accept the challenge of keeping West Ham in the
Premier League.
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Keeping Parker is the Litmus Test of the Will to Survive, as Others Steal a
March!
West Ham Till I Die
While we are naturally focused on incoming activity in the transfer window,
we should not forget that there is also likely to be interest in our better
players. Stoke City have supposedly enquired about Mark Noble and Carlton
Cole, Valon Behrami is being actively courted by Serie A clubs and there are
rumours that Arsenal will seek a defensive 'quick fix' by attempting to sign
Matt Upson.
Obviously, if West Ham are to sufficiently strengthen, they need to retain
the core of their existing quality players and supplement it this January.
There is no point bringing better players in via one door, whilst letting
our top players exit through another. Yes, a player like Behrami may be
(reluctantly) sold to generate funds, but overall the net balance sheet of
our quality/strength must be significantly enhanced by the end of the
window.
In this respect, the retention of Scott Parker is the ultimate litmus test
of the West Ham board's determination to escape the relegation zone. There
are always going to be enquiries about a player of Parker's quality, the
latest being a rumour of a proposed c.£15m bid from Liverpool. As lucrative
as that alleged deal might seem, it really is a non-starter if we wish to
survive this season. The loss of Parker would rip the heart out of the team
and demoralise the other players and the supporters. In short, it would be
virtually suicidal! As it is, Scott Parker has recently signed a new long
term contract, declared himself happy at the club and ready to make his own
unique contribution to the Hammers survival battle. So, any bids must be
firmly rejected.
Elsewhere, it appears that other clubs have stolen a march on two of West
Ham's alleged striker targets. Dembe Ba has had a medical and contract
negotiations with Stoke City; while Spurs have accepted a Birmingham City
£6m bid (£4m upfront and £2m add ons) for Robbie Keane. Yesterday, Avram
Grant seemed to blame the media for Stoke City's interest in Dembe Ba,
arguing that the player was not on anyone else's radar until speculation
linked him with West Ham. Well, that's the way it is now, I am afraid. The
day's of John Lyall's almost clandestine, top secret, signings are well and
truly over over! The spotlight of media attention is always there on
transfer dealings. If an acceptable West Ham bid has also been accepted by
Hoffenheim, then no doubt Ba's people will seek discussions to see what the
Hammers are offering!
On Robbie Keane, only yesterday, Grant confirmed his interest in the player.
Presumably, West Ham will now match Birmingham City's valuation (if they
can?) and they will move to negotiate wth the player and his representative.
If we can put an acceptable wages package together, the London factor could
still swing the deal West Ham's way. We shall see whether the owners are
prepared to 'push out the boat' financially to get Keane on board?
The bookies continue to cut the odds on a Martin O'Neill appointment to the
Hammers hotseat. The odds have gradually reduced from 20-1 to 2-1, so
perhaps they have some sort of inside track? While, Avram Grant has
postulated that West Ham need to win a minimum of 16 points in the final 16
PL matches to ensure their survival. That's a total of 36 points for the
campaign. Will that be enough this season?
Finally, Wenger assures us that the gooners will not play, against West Ham
on Saturday, like they did against Ipswich Town in mid-week. Drat, and I
had hoped that they might be just as wasteful up front, lax in midfield and
wide open defensively to pace and the ball over the top. Just our luck!
Still, who knows? And here's a novel idea for you, but West Ham might
actually make them play that way again, providing Grant can get his
selection and tactics right? '
SJ. Chandos.
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