West Ham United (1) – (2) Arsenal
Ramsey (78′), Eduardo (83′)
Upton Park, London

All the pre-game talk was whether Arsenal should take the FA Cup seriously.

My personal view was that recently with Arsenal, the FA Cup has become almost like the Carling Cup. In recent years Arsene has prioritised the Champions League and Premier League, and whenever he’s had big league or European games he’s always played a weaker side in the FA Cup. Ever since we last won it in 2005, we haven’t come close to winning it again. With the demands on the squad, that’s no surprise.

The fact is the rewards for a decent Champions League campaign and Top Four finish in the league is far more beneficial financially than lifting the FA Cup will ever be.

So the starting eleven for today’s game would depend on both our league position and the number of injuries to the squad. We’ve already lost Van Persie, Bendtner, Clichy, Gibbs, Denilson and Fabregas so there’s no point risking our title challenge by losing more big players – and we’re in a decent position going into a gruelling January/February schedule (Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in consecutive league games) so I would put those 6 pointers as a greater priority than the FA Cup.

Surprisingly, Arsene decided on starting Sagna, Vermaelen and Gallas in defence. Silvestre slotted in at left-back and Ramsey, Song and Merida started in midfield. Vela, Eduardo and Wilshire made up the forward line.

With our defensive situation precarious and no real cover for Gallas and Vermaelen at the heart of our defence, I was surprised they both started but with Senderos failing a fitness test I guess we had no choice. And I suppose them both starting highlights the lack of options we have in defence.

So we had a relatively strong team out. With Song leaving for the ACN we had nothing to lose starting him, and Ramsey deserved his chance to prove he can step up as a Premier League starter after his impressive display at Portsmouth midweek. Wilshire and Vela would always be involved and Eduardo is in need of minutes under his belt.

The first half was scrappy, and there was no real cohesion from Arsenal.

Eduardo had a shot from distance which tested Green after a West Ham error and Vela had a shot that was comfortably saved from the angle. Vermaelen also had a half chance from a corner when Green flew off his line but his half volley sailed high and wide.

Both sides were trying to find their game and Arsenal’s attempts to find their free-flowing football was nullified by West Ham’s high-tempo performance.

And in first half stoppage time, West Ham got their break.

Silvestre tried to play a suicidal offside by jumping forward and raising his arm but Kovac’s through ball found Diamanti who slotted the ball into the corner.

West Ham 1, Arsenal 0.

Crazy defending from Silvestre, who is so over the hill he’s on a different continent. Seriously, I find it hard to name another Premier League footballer who is more passed it than Silvestre. He is simply awful now.

Arsenal stepped up in the first half without really troubling West Ham. Eduardo really does look like a shadow of his former self and you worry about this form going into the massive games at the end of the month. He takes far to many touches, and just doesn’t seem decisive in his play. It’s strange because after his first comeback from the horrific injury he was back to his clinical scoring ways (remember the cheeky side-footed volley that went into the top corner last season?) but his second comeback has been tentative and has no sign of improving.

On 65 minutes Arsenal brought on the in-form Nasri and Diaby for Wilshire and Merida.

Arsenal immediately had more purpose about them and Diaby had Arsenal’s first real chance to equalise. Song went on a run and found Diaby, who’s shot was saved by an on-rushing Green.

Then Aaron Ramsey, who was probably Arsenal’s Man of the Match scored a well deserved equaliser. Nasri picked up the ball on the right hand side, and found Diaby, who played the ball onto Song. He then fed the ball inside to Vela who flicked the ball into Ramsey’s path and the Welshman lashed the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot. A fantastic goal and richly deserved from the midfielder.

Ramsey looked decisive, accurate and very composed throughout the game and was much more effective once Nasri and Diaby came on to compliment his style.

Diaby was almost studded in the face after a ridiculously high foot from Jimenez and got off without even a booking. But Karma kicked in almost immediately as Song found Vela on the left, who sent in a wonderful, sweeping cross into the middle. It found Eduardo, and he amazingly found the top corner with a header from the penalty spot.

The header couldn’t have been more accurate! And a stunning goal which will hopefully help Eduardo raise his confidence.

After that Arsenal were stepping up the gears and really pressurised the West Ham defence. Eduardo had a header from a corner flash over the bar and Arsenal were getting in behind the defence time and time again. Vela also had a well made chance saved on the line after more impressive play from Ramsey.

It was interesting to note that Eduardo, Vela and Ramsey’s performances became more effective once Diaby and Nasri were introduced, and once Eduardo went into the centre and Vela moved out to the left. Encouraging in the least part as Ramsey, Eduardo and Vela may need to be called upon in the coming weeks. Arsenal struggled with too many changes (Vela, Wilshire, Ramsey and Merida) but today showed that one or two introductions (Ramsey and Vela) into the first team doesn’t have to disrupt the Arsenal style of football.

The difference in cohesion from the first half to the last 30 minutes was massive. But it showed that players like Vela and Ramsey are up to the task.

A great day for Arsenal and an encouraging performance.

Update: Arsenal drew Stoke Away in the FA Cup draw.

Portsmouth (1) – (4) Arsenal
Eduardo (27′), Nasri (41′), Ramsey (68′), Song (81′)
Fratton Park, Portsmouth

This was potentially a tough game for Arsenal as it was one of those cold and wet away days which could have proved to be a banana skin but in the end it was a four one conclusion.

It was a comfortable game and without Van Persie or Cesc Fabregas the team made it look quite easy, which is a credit to the starting eleven.

You can’t afford to lose points in these kind of games and while Pompy are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League they play decent football. In recent weeks they have managed to scare Chelsea and beat Liverpool, but today Arsenal put in a professional shift.

The back five were the usual suspects, and our captain’s absence meant a midfield of Diaby, Song and Ramsey.

Abou Diaby (who I’ve been critical of in the past) looked good again today (long may it continue) and Song was yet again solid and the defensive rock. I do worry how we’ll replace him now he’s at the ACN. This was his last game for Arsenal before he left and he gave is a nice parting gift with a great performance and a nice headed goal.

Aaron Ramsey was starting his first game in a while and I have to say he was simply excellent. I’m not sure if he models his game on Cesc Fabregas but his movement, passing and eye for goal are all top quality. I know the quality of opposition in the end wasn’t the best but tonight Ramsey was fantastic. He oozes intelligence every time he plays, and against Portsmouth he didn’t disappoint. He took his goal superbly and his all round performance was impressive, mature and composed.

Diaby again performed with purpose and was excellent going forward as well as tracking back. He is a player that we really need to step up with injuries to Denilson and Fabregas, and the absence of Song, but he looks to be finally reaching that level. Let’s pray that his good performances continue and he remains injury-free.

Up front, it was Eduardo, Arshavin and Nasri.

After the Villa game I said that Eduardo needs games under his belt and hopefully his lucky goal will spur him on to better things. His play isn’t quite there yet, and whether that’s down to confidence he needs to find his form. He has a real chance for a long run in the side with the injuries to Van Persie and Bendtner so we need him to keep going.

Arshavin was hit and miss today, and on Sunday I feel that I was a bit harsh on awarding him a 6 for his performance. While today he was a little better, the fact is that he is sacrificing his natural game for the best of the team. His natural position isn’t a central target man but credit to him you can tell he’s giving 110%. The results since he’s been playing in the centre (Liverpool, Villa and Pompy) have been very positive so you can’t complain.

Nasri looks to be improving week by week, and his performance was capped off with a well taken goal and assist for Song’s header.

And there’s nothing else to add really. Arsenal were for the most part cruising, but encouragingly they had the desire to win the game. One of our major problems in recent times is ‘cruising’ performances which lead to draws or defeats.

So going into the new year we are in decent shape – just 4 points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand against Bolton at home, which is on Wednesday 6th January. A tough fixture by all accounts with the sacking of Gary Megson – we know how football teams usually react when they play their first game under new management – so we need to be mentally (and physically) prepared.
Hopefully our form will continue into the new decade as when we left it.

And finally, I’d just like to thank you the visitor for reading my weblog and wish you all the best for the new year. Whether you agree, disagree or leave a completely irrelevant comment it’s all truly appreciated. Whatever you think about my opinions on Arsenal and football we are all united in wanting success and hopefully we can achieve that next year.

See you in 2010!

Arsenal (3) – (0) Aston Villa
Fabregas (65′, 81′), Diaby (92′)
The Emirates Stadium, London

Cesc Fabregas is fucking genius.

In a game Arsenal needed to win, he played a 21 minute cameo and what happened?

He completely changed the game, scoring two goals. The first was an exquisite freekick, and the second was a fantastic finish after busting a gut over a good 60 yards before latching onto a nice Theo Walcott pass.

This boy is special, and on a completely different level to anyone else at Arsenal. You just can’t describe how good he was today, and the difference he made.

With the results Chelsea and Manchester United have been having recently, it was vital that Arsenal took all 3 points today to send out a message and keep in the Premier League title race. Chelsea and United are having a slight wobble at the moment, so you need to take advantage of these situations when they happen.

And before the game, all I was hoping for was 3 points. I didn’t care how they came, the fact was a victory would be massive for our season.

In a strange series of events, ever since Chelsea beat Arsenal at The Emirates in November we have beaten Stoke, Liverpool, Hull and Aston Villa, and drawn against Burnley. But Chelsea on the other hand, have lost against Manchester City and drawn against Everton, West Ham and Birmingham. Maybe we just played them at the wrong time.

But back to today and before the game Aston Villa had a formidable record against the Top Four. They had already beaten Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea this season so Arsenal would have a real test on their hands.

As it turned out, we started brightly and Eduardo had a guilt-edged chance after only 3 minutes to put Arsenal ahead but rolled his shot straight at Friedel. After that, Arsenal struggled to break down Villa and they looked dangerous in the first 20 minutes and our defending was a bit shaky. Fortunately though, they didn’t really test Almunia and we managed to deny Villa of any real clear chances.

We had a lot of possession on the first half but no real purpose. Too many times moves would break down in the final third, with Arshavin and Eduardo particularly guilty of losing the ball. Arshavin just wasn’t in the game today, and Eduardo was just poor. I don’t know whether it’s confidence or match fitness, but Eduardo just isn’t on top form right now and nothing he tries is coming off. He had a few half chances but never looked like scoring, and 1 goal in 11 suggests he’s just lacking in confidence.

The second half was a little better, but Arsenal still looked lethargic and were missing that leadership to push them on and give them the motivation to go on and win the game.

So on 56 minutes, Arsene Wenger brought on Fabregas.

Almost instantly, the whole complexion of the game changed. Suddenly Arsenal had the impetus to drive forward and make things happen. The effect the introduction of Fabregas had was simply amazing, and excited the crowd and the players. We were making chances and putting Aston Villa under pressure time and time again.

And after 10 minutes of being on, he weaved his way passed a couple of Villa players but was hacked down by Richard Dunne. From the resulting freekick, he stepped up, and coolly curled the freekick into the top corner.

What a little genius!

At this point whatever superlatives you had for our captain were just not good enough, his impact on the game was outstanding. Arsenal looked like a completely different team.

And once Arsenal had that first goal, it was only a matter of time before they got their second and Fabregas bagged another goal after a sweeping Arsenal break. Armand Traore won the ball deep in the Arsenal half, and released Theo Walcott with a diagonal ball. Theo played in Fabregas and the little magician smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Game, set and match.

Unfortunately though, it appeared that Cesc picked up a little niggle in scoring the second goal and he was soon replaced by Aaron Ramsey on 83 minutes.

But the damage had been done, and mercurial Fabregas had stamped his authority on the game, and on the title race.

Arsenal were then in cruise control in the final 10 minutes, and Abou Diaby scored a well-taken third for Arsenal which on his performance was richly deserved.

3 goals, 3 points and 4 points behind the league leaders with a game in hand. And that’s against Bolton on the 6th January.

Player Ratings

Manuel Almunia: 8/10
Pretty solid today, and won most of the corners and crosses with ease. Seemed a lot more confident than in recent weeks, and make a couple of smart saves from the in-from Agbonlahor.

Bacary Sagna: 8/10
Made some excellent tackles and as usual, always right up the pitch supporting the right side. Full of running, and kept Ashley Young very quiet.

William Gallas: 8/10
Did well alongside Vermaelen and minimised the impact of Emile Heskey.

Thomas Vermaelen: 8/10
Like Gallas, defended well and kept the threat of Villa relatively quiet. Almunia didn’t really have a big save to make throughout the entire game, which is credit to the two centre backs.

Armand Traore: 8/10
Excellent today. Coped well with Agbonlahor and also did well to support the attack. Great vision to pick out Walcott to setup the second goal.

Alex Song: 8/10
Impressive today, and will be a big miss once he leaves for the ACN. Really does add some steel to the defence and it will be hard to see how Arsene will replace him on January.

Denilson: 7/10
Kept the game flowing but struggled to make things happen in the final third.

Abou Diaby: 8/10
Always willing to take on players and involved in some good attacking play throughout the match. Much improved recently and deserved his goal in injury time.

Samir Nasri: 7/10
Not his best game and couldn’t really create much.

Andrei Arshavin: 6/10
Probably as poor as I’ve seen the little Russian play in an Arsenal shirt. Maybe we expect too much from him, but his touch today was extremely bad. We’re talking Adebayor bad.

Eduardo: 6/10
Didn’t click with the rest of the team and missed a sitter in the opening minutes. Had a few other half chances but couldn’t get his game going and was replaced on the hour.

Cesc Fabregas: 10/10 (Replaced Denilson 56′)
Despite only playing less than a quarter of the game, he was the Man of the Match for me. Totally changed a lethargic Arsenal side by simply being on the pitch. Scored a wonderful freekick to break the deadlock and showed immense desire and determination to score the second. His influence today on so many levels was absolutely huge.

Theo Walcott: 6/10 (Replaced Eduardo 64′)
Showed a poor touch when he came on but did play in Fabregas for his goal.

Aaron Ramsey: 6/10 (Replaced Cesc Fabregas 84′)
Not enough time to really make an impact.