Kevin Whitcher
Strange to think that there will be (cup draws allowing) only one more visit to West Ham’s historic home. Demand for tickets for this game was fairly intense, so God alone knows what it will be like next season.
Arsenal haven’t lost at the place for a good number of years, and the healthy record was retained by a good battling performance in which Olivier Giroud was not missed. Significantly, Laurent Koscielny returned to the starting line up, with Francis Coquelin joining Mathieu Flamini to provide more defensive cover in midfield. Up front, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a storming game, and all over the park, the players looked as if they were up for the game, unlike certain recent trips we don’t want to dwell upon.
Yes, there was an element of fortune, but it was hard earned. Song’s offside goal might have been given by a different ref, and the Hammers’ finishing let them down at key moments. Wojciech Szczesny had a generally good game with some decent saves, although he did completely miss one cross late in the match, but got away with it.
Defensively, Arsenal were hardly exceptional, as demonstrated by the West Ham goal, but things are at least showing signs of improvement. The signing of a centre back as soon as possible after New Year’s Day should help matters, but history tells us any new face will probably not be unveiled until February is almost upon us.
The goals were a pleasure to witness. Cazorla’s run to force the foul leading to the penalty allowed him to resume his spot kick duties and score at a key time in the game. But the second was the icing on the cake, squeezed in before the half time whistle. Once again, width, provided by the Ox, created the danger and Danny Welbeck was in position to convert. The jury is still out on the number 23, but scoring goals is how he will answer his critics.
So Arsenal move into fifth place overtaking Sam Allardyce’s side. In this respect, it was a huge result. Indeed, beating Southampton on New Year’s Day would be doubly significant, although Chelsea’s failure to win there indicates that it is a difficult trip. Ronald Koeman’s team seem to have steadied the ship and are getting results again.
Anyway, people were talking about four points from nine over the three festive period fixtures. Now Arsenal have six. They look set fair for fourth place if they can overcome Southampton, and hold off Spurs between now and the end of May. One thing looks certain. A lot less than last season’s 79 points will be needed to make that habitual Champions League qualifier.
I am now on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01.
The new issue of The Gooner with free 2015 Art of Arsenal calendar can be bought online here. It will also be on sale outside the stadium for the coming home match v Hull, and the away match at Southampton.
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Further Reading
A sequel to Arsènal – The Making of a Modern Superclub and entitled Arsène and Arsenal The Quest to Rediscover Past Glories has been written by myself and co-author Alex Fynn. It takes up the story of the club from the last update of the previous book, and can be bought online here. Use the promo code ‘Gooner’ to get 10% off the publisher’s price of £8.99.
